Latest News
SME crimewave goes unreported
More than half of all small firms in the UK fall victim to crime every year, but the majority of these incidents are never reported to the police.
ASBO threat to small businesses
A row has erupted over a statement from the Environment Agency that it wants to impose Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and even jail terms on businesses that break environmental laws.
Bouncing cheques hit business
Almost half of all businesses have been victims of bounced cheques in the past year, according to the Better Payment Practice Group (BPPG), which has reiterated its advice to run credit checks.
SMEs urged to report competitors
Anti-competitive practices are damaging the UK's small businesses and the Office of Fair Trading is calling for them to fight back.
Registering as a company - the pros and cons
When first setting up a business there are many issues to consider, not least what whether to register as a company or not.
Have your say on red tape
Chancellor Gordon Brown has asked business owners to tell him the problems they have with legislation as the first step in improving the system.
Here comes the sun law
A proposed EU directive requiring employers to make daily risk assessments on the strength of the sun has left small business groups hot under the collar.
New wave of waste rules
If you're under the impression that the phrase 'hazardous waste' only refers to toxic chemicals and industrial pollutants then you're in for a shock.
Know your competition law
SMEs are lagging behind their bigger brethren when it comes to knowledge of the Competition Act and how it could benefit them, according to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
How to comply with legislation
Over three-quarters of Britain’s small businesses are not confident that they are complying with mounting legislation, according to research from information technology supplier Dell.
Red tape good for business
It sounds strange but after years of complaining about the burden of red tape, employers are saying that employment legislation can be good for business, according to recent research.
SMEs not as trigger happy as Sir Alan
A survey by employment law specialists ELAS shows that more than four-fifths of owner/managers would never utter Sir Alan Sugar’s dramatic catchphrase, “you’re fired”.
Protecting against identity theft
Corporate identity theft is on the rise and it could cost your business a fortune.
Banish bureaucratic burden, says FSB
Government red tape is five times more costly and time-consuming for small businesses than for large companies, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
How to protect your assets
With three-quarters of businesses the victims of IT systems security breaches, the DTI has produced a free guide to help protect private and sensitive information from prying eyes.