Latest News
Stress a major contributor to long-term absence
Stress-related ill health is the most common cause of long-term absence for almost one in six employers, research finds.
Late payment worsens for SMEs
The amount owed to small and medium-sized businesses in late payments has reached an all-time high of £33.6 billion since the first Bacs late payments survey in September 2007, research finds.
FSB: Employer's relief needed for SSP
Government must introduce a small employer's relief for the recovery of statutory sick pay, says the Federation of Small Businesses.
UK seen as less business friendly
Less companies view the UK as business friendly than a year ago, research finds.
Clegg promises jobs boost
A government investment of £950 million will help create and safeguard more than 200,000 jobs across England, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has announced.
ELAS: Christmas shopping to hit productivity
Festive gift buying will cost businesses £5 billion as email discounts tempt workers to shop from their desks, according to a business support specialist.
Employees feel unvalued
Nearly three quarters of workers feel their employer either takes their efforts for granted or expects them to feel grateful for having a job, research finds.
Retail sales still shaky
Retailers expect sales growth next month, but sales are still down on last year.
SMEs sitting on cash
Almost half of small and medium-sized enterprises are sitting on cash and not investing it because of the uncertain economic climate, research finds.
FPB: Business Finance Taskforce not there yet
The Business Finance Taskforce has not yet achieved its aim of repairing the relationship between banks and small businesses, says the Forum of Private Business.
SMEs suffer skills shortage
Almost half of businesses struggle to recruit the right staff, research finds.
Payment getting later for small businesses
Late payment among UK firms worsened by almost a day during the third quarter of the year, research finds.
FSB: NIC holiday needed
A targeted VAT cut and a National Insurance Contributions (NICs) holiday must be introduced for small firms, says the Federation of Small Businesses.
Business rate appeal delay costly for SMEs
Delays in processing business rate appeals are costing English businesses £300 million per year, according a business rates specialist.
