A significant proportion of small businesses across the UK are preparing to reduce investment and staff costs once business rates rise next month, according to a new survey from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The research finds that more than a third of small firms expect to see their business rates increase from 1st…
New measures to support Britain’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector are set to be announced by the Government, with proposals expected to include: • A major AI review to identify the critical elements for the technology to thrive and grow in the UK. It will consider how Government and industry could work together to back this…
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to undertake a fundamental review of the UK Corporate Governance Code. The review will take account of work done by the FRC on corporate culture and succession planning. It will also take into account the issues raised in a recent Government Green Paper which proposes linking executive remuneration with…
Plans for a new Enterprise Zone to support the UK’s space science industry have been confirmed. The project will cover three sites across Leicester and Loughborough, and aims to deliver 6,500 new jobs by building on the local area’s expertise in the sector. Leicester is already home to the National Space Centre and the new…
The Government is about to appoint the UK’s first Small Business Commissioner in a move aimed at supporting small businesses in payment disputes with their larger customers. The role includes giving general advice and information, handling complaints about payment issues and directing small businesses to existing dispute resolution services. Small Business Minister, Margot James, comments:…
The recent fall in the value of sterling is squeezing domestic sales margins, and increasing the cost base of UK businesses, according to the results of the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) latest International Trade Survey. The results, which are based on the responses of nearly 1,500 businesses, indicate that the recent devaluation of pound…
British business leaders fear that UK infrastructure is lagging behind the rest of the world and feel less confident about global economic conditions over the next 12 months, according to new research from Lloyds Bank. The study, which canvassed the views of boardroom-level executives from leading UK companies and global corporates, shows that two thirds…
The UK manufacturing sector made a strong start to 2017 with output rising at the fastest rate since May 2014. New order intakes expanded at a robust pace and, according to the Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), price pressures intensified – input cost inflation surged to a survey record high and output charges also increased…