Private sector growth picked up pace in the three months to December, according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator, the final one of 2016. The survey of 788 respondents across the manufacturing, distribution and service sectors showed that growth climbed to a balance of +17%, its highest in a year. Most sectors reported an uptick…
Having undertaken a year-long study into the legal services sector, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that competition in legal services for both small businesses and individual consumers is not working well. In particular, there is not enough information available on price, quality and service to help choose the best option. The CMA…
Businesses across England and Wales reported another month of solid growth in November, with output levels and employment both rising at faster rates, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Regional Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey. The PMI for England rose to a ten-month high of 55.8 up from 54.9 in October. A reading greater than…
Centrica is undertaking a trial to develop a local energy market in Cornwall, which will see the development of a virtual marketplace and the installation of new technology into over 150 homes and businesses. Over the next three years, Centrica’s Distributed Energy and Power business will work with renewable generators, local businesses and other large…
Large companies will be required to publish details on how quickly they pay their suppliers, under draft regulations set out by small business minister, Margot James. Coming into force from April 2017, a “duty to report” will require large companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) to publicly report twice yearly on their payment practices and…
Siemens has officially opened a new rotor blade factory for offshore wind turbines in Hull. The site at Alexandra Docks has been transformed from a derelict industrial wasteland to a high-tech manufacturing hub and shipping to the first offshore wind project is expected in early 2017. “Our new factory in Hull which we are today…