The Times newspaper recently asked readers to rank the UK against five key competitors for tax, business friendliness, infrastructure, skills and workforce.
UK umbrella company contractors unhappy with personal taxation » Read the full story
The small business sector is crucial to EU growth, according to Helena Walsh, the Brussels regional director for Cicero Consulting.
EU is relying on small businesses to drive recovery » Read the full story
The Department for BIS recently published statistics which show just how dependant the UK economy is on small businesses. In fact SMEs provide 60% of all the UK’s employment.
SMEs are keeping the UK’s head above water » Read the full story
London and the South East of England top the late payments league, according to the latest study from Bacs.
Large corporations still appear reluctant to settle debts » Read the full story
Although the majority of SMEs in the UK have faith in exports leading the economic recovery, nearly 25% say they are going to decrease their international trading activity.
SMEs lack confidence in trading with EU countries » Read the full story
This week is International Ideas Week, a time when employers are encouraged to involve their staff and listen to their ideas.
Do you get your business ideas from a crystal ball? » Read the full story
The current transitional jobs market could prove to be a godsend for umbrella company contractors.
Transitional jobs market good news for contractors » Read the full story
Lord Oakeshott, the former Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman has accused the UK banks of hindering the economic recovery by refusing finance to small enterprises and charging extravagant rates when they do.
Are UK banks bad news for umbrella company contractors? » Read the full story
Nearly 80% of IT directors believe private sector workers provide better value.
Umbrella company IT contractors provide good value for money » Read the full story
The FSB claims the Chancellor missed a golden opportunity to boost the creation of jobs when he delivered his budget on Wednesday.
Has the budget created stability for umbrella contractors? » Read the full story
Freelancers with digital skills could be one group to benefit from the government’s public sector cuts.
Prospects are good for contractors with digital skills » Read the full story
As budget day looms ever closer, various organisations have been urging the government to create an environment that supports entrepreneurs, small businesses and umbrella company contractors.
George Osborne must deliver a small business friendly Budget » Read the full story
During the Conservative Party’s spring conference last weekend, George Osborne said the government planned to reintroduce Enterprise Zones.
Will Enterprise Zones work now when they failed before? » Read the full story
The government needs to concentrate on prioritising economic stability in this month’s budget, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. A call that is also likely to be endorsed by umbrella company contractors.
Freelancers need economic stability! » Read the full story
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland has claimed that HMRC’s proposals to check SME and umbrella company record keeping are flawed.
HMRC should rethink its Business Records Check programme » Read the full story
The latest ICAEW/Grant Thornton UK Business Confidence monitor shows that business confidence is weakening but the economy is slowly improving.
Economy is improving, will business confidence follow suit? » Read the full story
