According to Business Secretary Vince Cable, who was speaking at the CBI conference on alternative sources of finance earlier this week, it’s not that banks are refusing credit, just that the conditions they set are so onerous and so risk averse that it makes it very difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular to raise finance. Continue reading
A series of reports this month have pointed to investors eyeing small UK companies for takeover, as they are seen as good areas for early-stage growth. Continue reading
According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, inflation fell to 2.4 per cent in April, down from 2.8 per cent in March, the first time there has been a drop since September last year. Continue reading
In his latest business report on small firms published earlier this month, Lord Young advocates removing the age cap on accessing taxpayer-funded loans to set up a business, which would open funding up to the over 30s. Continue reading
The Financial Reporting Council has recently issued a consultation on a revision to international standards on auditing, which is a reminder that one of the benefits of having an audit means that a firm is being tested against a standard that is understandable to everyone. Continue reading
Prime Minister David Cameron has written to the leaders of Britain’s offshore tax havens urging them to “get our own house in order” ahead of the G8 summit in June, when the Government, as host of the summit, will push for tighter tax measures. Continue reading
Funding by local authorities to charities has increased over the last four years by £1 billion, according to figures provided by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Continue reading
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have admitted that around five and half million people either overpaid or underpaid tax last year and will be receiving a cheque for up to £500 or a surprise demand for roughly the same amount at some point this year. Continue reading
The Bank of England yesterday (May 15th) upgraded its economic growth forecast for the UK and has said that inflation should now fall faster than it had previously predicted. Continue reading
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published its second list of ‘deliberate tax defaulters’, which contains the names and financial penalties of individuals and small firms. Continue reading