Female-led businesses are predicting a £12 billion increase in turnover within the next five years, an investigation has discovered. Research by the business advice chamber Everywoman revealed that 88% of businesses run by women are forecasting future...

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has called for small business rate relief to feature in the chancellor's pre-budget statement. Specifically, the institute believes that the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) should extend its 'Time to Pay' scheme -...

Britain's small businesses have demanded that a tax cut make up part of the coming pre-budget report. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has stated that by increasing business costs on the back of a weakening trading climate, companies and jobs will be put...

Small firms are demanding a £1 billion rescue package to be part of the chancellor's coming pre-budget statement. A recent announcement by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) stated that small enterprises need a 'survival fund' to help them through...

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) have won more than £3.5 billion in Olympic Games contracts so far, it has been revealed. Figures released by the Olympic Delivery Authority have shown that the majority of the work for the Games has been procured to...

The vast majority of small businesses believe that the government is not doing enough to help them through the financial crisis. According to a study the business portal cmypitch.com, 77% of small enterprises think the government should be doing more to ease...

Small businesses are increasingly placing their trust in accountants rather than bank managers when it comes to financial advice. An investigation by the Forum for Private Business (FPB) and credit agency Graydon UK has found that 70% of small firms would...

The government has called on banks to pass on the new base rate, while admitting it cannot force them to do so. The Bank of England's monetary policy committee yesterday (6 November) announced a reduction of 1.5%, leaving the base rate at 3%; it's lowest in...

The Bank of England's base rate reduction could lead to the re-energising of the mortgage markets, according to one industry group. An official from the Building Societies Association (BSA) believes that the monetary policy committee's decision to cut the...

Small businesses are being urged to claim cash rebates on the back of a recent change in legislation. Market watcher KPMG has identified that more small firms will now be able to claim a research and development (R and D) tax rebate following the regulatory...

The Bank of England has unveiled a 1.5% interest rate cut in a bid to derail the oncoming recession. In a shock move, the Bank's monetary policy committee (MPC) today (6 November) announced a reduction in the lending rate to 3.0%. Prior to the decision,...

Small businesses are becoming confused by the appearance of providers offering 'virtualisation' services, according to IT experts. Researchers at IT Lab believe that a large number of small firms are being sucked into contracts which claim to save them money...

The number of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) going insolvent could hit 42% by the end of next year, according to experts. An investigation by R3 - the trade body for insolvency - revealed that company bankruptcies are set to surge on the back of the...

A reduction in the Bank of England lending rate of 1% would help millions of small businesses against recession, it has been claimed. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) believes that the monetary policy committee (MPC) should cut the lending by a full...

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) need to be aware of new rules regarding foreign workers coming into play this week. That's according to the think tank Tenon Forum, which claims that the number of SMEs employing migrant workers doubled over the past two...

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) would be better served by nurturing existing talent, a new report has claimed. An investigation by the Cranfield School of Management, commissioned by learndirect Business, revealed SMEs could save substantial funds by not...

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has expressed concerns over the European Investment Bank's (EIB) £4 billion rescue package. While welcoming the scheme, the FSB is anxious that not enough of the money will reach the small...

The government has announced £4 billion in support for small businesses by way of the EU. Chancellor Alistair Darling revealed that the funds would come in the form of a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) over the next...

Chancellor Alistair Darling has hinted that the government may reduce taxes to help lower income families. According to the Evening Standard , the Chancellor made the suggestion in an interview with GMTV this morning (30 October), in the...

Web 2.0 platforms such as Facebook can have positive effects on the UK's small business sector, according to new research. An investigation by the think tank Demos - commissioned by telecoms group Orange - found that online social...

The government should reduce the tax burden on lower income families, according to the Liberal Democrats. Nick Clegg, the leader of the centre-left party, has claimed that funds could be raised for a cut by closing off tax loopholes which...

The Conservative Party has urged the government to procure more public contracts to small businesses. Earlier this week, the shadow chancellor George Osborne had warned Labour to "pull its finger out" on procurement, suggesting that a quarter of...

Currency market fluctuations are costing small businesses £900 million in revenues every year, according to foreign exchange experts. An investigation by World First has discovered that volatile currency markets this year brought on...

The shadow chancellor George Osborne has condemned the government's current policy over procuring contracts. In a statement published today (28 October) on the party website, Mr Osborne demanded that Labour make it easier for small businesses to secure...

The number of homes in the UK being repossessed in the UK has surged by more than 70%, according to the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Data released by the FSA today (28 October) revealed that over the last year, repossession totals have increased by...