The FSB is calling on the coalition and the banks to give small businesses a bit of breathing space so that they can stay afloat over the festive season.
The REC has been investigating anti-competitive behaviour by 7 recruitment businesses that operate in the construction sector and last Friday it revealed its findings.
Umbrella company contractors have put in claims for around half a million pounds worth of unpaid invoices following the collapse of Albany at the beginning of 2010.
Umbrella company contractors and other freelance workers have been warned to be cautious of schemes that claim to be HMRC approved, when really they are referring to the reference number allocated to a scheme.
The Bank of England base rate is to remain at its historically low rate of 0.5%, at least for the immediate future, the Monetary Policy Committee has announced.