Campaigners Call For Business Tax Freeze

The Policy Exchange has suggested that business rates should be frozen for two years to ease the pressure on the high street, as traditional retailers deal with the rise of internet shopping. Continue reading

Posted in Barry Jefferd | Leave a comment

Hidden Assets

According to Oxfam, governments around the world are losing more than £99bn a year in revenue through hidden money, and the charity is urging the Government to take tougher action against UK-linked tax havens. Continue reading

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Banks Not Refusing Credit, Just Very Risk-Averse

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

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Smaller Firms Ripe For Takeover

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

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Surprise Dip In Inflation

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

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Start-Up Loans Age Cap Removal Proposal

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

Posted in Keith Middleton | Leave a comment

Auditing Standards

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

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Tax Transparency

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

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Grants to Charities Increase

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

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Pleasant Surprise Or Unwelcome Shock

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

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