The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
UK VAT-registered SMEs are missing out on 1/4 of potential VAT reclaims due to sloppy expense practices, according to new research. Professor Stephen Roper, Centre for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Warwick Business School, estimates that this equates to £1.18bn in lost fuel VAT reclaim potential.
A fundraising challenge to raise £6 million for charity in a single working week has been launched by one of the UK’s leading not for profit organisations.
The Big Give has created a matched fund – generated through a combination of trustees, major donors and the charitable Reed Foundation – which will be available from Monday 7 to Friday 11 December to attract £3 million of donations via its website, www.thebiggive.org.uk.
Last night I, on behalf of Smarta, got my first close-hand look at Baron Alan Sugar of Clapton since he controversially assumed the position of ‘Enterprise Tsar’ – a title he rejects.
The recent strike action over pay and jobs at the Royal Mail is likely to cost the economy over £1 billion and many smaller businesses will bear the brunt.
The reason for the dispute centres on a pay and flexible working deal made in 2007, and which has since unraveled. The union wants reassurances over job security while the Royal Mail wants more flexible hours alongside more automated processes.
The recession has become the catalyst for a new era in business, according to a report by the CBI. The study by the employers’ group identifies four key areas of UK business where new ways of working could develop because of the downturn.
British businesses which have been devastated by the recent floods and are members of the Federation of Small Business (FSB) can apply for interest-free loans of up to £5,000 to help them through the crisis.
UK business cautiously group UK200 welcomed some of the government’s proposals to stabilise the financial system, announced in today’s Queen’s Speech – although it said more information was needed on how the measures would work in practice before a final judgement could be made on how effective they would be.
Last night, Minister for London, Tessa Jowell, called on London’s business leaders to help the capitals young people into work and to ensure they make the most of the Government support available to firms during the recession. Her call to action came as 1070 jobs for young people in London were announced as part of the Future Jobs Fund (FJF), with eight organizations in the capital to provide new posts.
Over 1200 business leaders and guests including keynote speaker Alistair Darling, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, were at the Orange-sponsored National Business Awards, to celebrate the success of the UK’s most innovative, ethical and resilient businesses in 2009 at the Grosvenor House Hotel last night (Nov10th).
The Apprentice star admitted he felt “frustrated” and considered his own position after facing calls for his resignation from small business leaders following his comments that struggling businesses were “moaners” living in “Disney World”.
A survey conducted at the end of last week shows that almost half of small businesses have maintained their profitability over the past year.
Lord Sugar needs “a taste of his own medicine” and should be fired as the Government’s “enterprise champion”, according to a company which advises hundreds of businesses every week as “his comments echo those of Marie Antionette.”
We spoke to this year’s winner of Online Retailer of the Year Zak Edwards who asks Richard Branson to consider launching Virgin Post whilst couriers say Royal Mail is digging its own grave.
75% of small businesses believe the economy will see an upturn next year, with 35% predicting an improvement by January 2010 according to new research out today.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has said two 24-hour nationwide postal strikes will start on Thursday 22 October.
The union said it had no choice but to announce a strike after the Royal Mail rejected its latest set of proposals.
On the first day, mail centre staff and drivers will strike. The next day it will be delivery and collection staff.
