Enterprise NewsLine

Economic growth revised upwards

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000

The increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the fourth quarter of 2009 has been revised upwards, from 0.1% to 0.3%.

Three-quarters of firms not reclaiming foreign VAT

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000

Nearly three-quarters of firms report they are experiencing difficulties when reclaiming refunds for foreign VAT, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Government urges manufacturers to take up import duty scheme

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is promoting a new European Union (EU) scheme, which helps British manufacturers save money on import duties.

ASA warns online retailers about price errors in brochures

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has warned online retailers that they should not use printed brochures for advertising if their prices are subject to change.

EU committee vote in favour of 20 weeks' full pay on maternity leave

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000

A European Parliament committee has passed draft legislation to extend the period of maternity leave with full pay to 20 weeks.

Use of forced mandatory retirement age soars during recession, says report

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000

The use of forced mandatory retirement by businesses has soared during the recession, according to research by charities Age Concern and Help the Aged.

Small firms losing out on energy deals, says FPB

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:17:59 +0000

Small firms are missing out on energy deals and larger businesses are able to access better energy prices, according to research by the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

Hospitality industry due £20m refund in music fees after High Court ruling

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000

The High Court has rejected an appeal by music licensing organisation PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) relating to the repayment of overpaid licence fees by thousands of small hospitality businesses.

Conservatives would review Agency Workers Directive if elected

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:01 +0000

A Conservative MP has announced that the Agency Workers Directive (AWD) would be reviewed if they win the general election, even if it has already gone through Parliament.

Social networks pose biggest threat to small firms, claims report

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:01 +0000

Small and medium-sized businesses' IT systems are most at risk from malware that is spread through social networks and Web 2.0 applications, according to a study by Internet security provider Webroot.

VAT concessions will affect rural businesses, say accountants

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:01 +0000

The withdrawal of two tax concessions will have a considerable effect on rural businesses, according to accountancy firm Saffery Champness.

Tribunal rules on holiday leave lost during illness

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:01 +0000

A tribunal has ruled that an employee should be permitted to carry over annual leave that they were too ill to take the previous year.

Minister must clear up bribery law confusion for businesses

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:01 +0000

A Government minister has announced that there will be guidance published on the new Bribery Bill, which makes it an offence for firms to fail to prevent bribery, after criticisms that the responsibilities of business owners are not made clear enough.

Tax system prevents firms taking on employees, survey shows

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:03:51 +0000

More than half of small firms who are keen to grow say that UK taxes are preventing them from taking on more staff, according to the results of a poll by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Around

Number of empty shops on high street increases

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:01 +0000

The number of vacant stores on British high streets has reached as high as one in five in some areas, according to the latest figures from retail and leisure data research firm Local Data Company.