Latest News
Be prepared for new disability laws
With less than a year to go until the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) comes into force on 1 October 2004, the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) has launched an awareness campaign aimed at professional service providers.
A guide to writing your terms of business
Terms of business (also known as terms and conditions) are vital, as they establish levels of responsibility for companies and their customers.
Goodwill hunting
When it comes to dissolving a long-term business partnership, you may need to consider areas such as valuing goodwill and rebranding.
Help on hand for health and safety
A programme to help promote health and safety within small- and medium-sized companies has been launched by Andrew Smith, secretary of state for work and pensions.
Dealing with contracts
Contracts are often perceived as long-winded documents, so it can be all too easy not to pay them enough attention.
Your guide to the Enterprise Act
On 15 September the Department of Trade & Industry’s (DTI) Enterprise Act comes into effect and will cause major changes to insolvency legislation.
Government cracks down on crime
A crime reduction strategy developed by the Home Office is targeting crimes against small businesses, particularly retailers, who are worried about break-ins, robberies and violence.
Keep staff in the loop
Groundbreaking legislation designed to harmonise relationships between bosses and employees has been announced by the Government.
Insurance hikes cause job losses
Rising insurance premiums are causing many small businesses to lay off staff to cover the costs of employers’ liability insurance, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Guidance to reduce red tape
A handbook on how local authorities and businesses can work together to help reduce the burden of red tape has been published by the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI).
Small retailers hit by crime
Crime cost the UK’s smaller retailers £2.
Award scheme to encourage accessibility for the disabled
Minister for disabled people, Maria Eagle, has launched the Access All Areas award scheme to encourage small businesses to “go the extra mile” and make their services more accessible to disabled people.
Ensure you protect your intellectual property
Small businesses must protect their ideas and inventions or risk going out of business.
Free risk assessment for your business
With tribunals over workplace accidents on the increase due to stricter safety rules, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is looking to help small firms reduce the risk of accidents, with the launch of a free online risk assessment service.
Red tape relief for small firms
200,000 small firms are set to benefit from an extension to the flat rate VAT scheme, which will cut their paperwork and compliance costs by up to £1,000 a year.