Business start-up numbers have fallen significantly in the last five years, according to Lloyds Bank analysis – 19% fewer new businesses were launched in the UK in November 2016 compared to November 2011. Regionally, the data from BankSearch shows that Wales has seen the largest decline in start-ups, falling by over a quarter (26%). England…
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…
Business travellers and frequent visitors from a host of countries will be able to benefit from faster entry to the UK as the Government’s Registered Traveller Service is expanded. From 21st November, frequent travellers to the UK from 16 new countries will be eligible to apply for membership of the scheme, which provides the potential…
The Government has launched an Inclusive Economy Unit which will focus on supporting mission-led business plus strengthening the social investment market and social impact bonds. Key aims are as follows: Encourage better use of private investment and support markets that deliver social impact as well as financial returns. Improve delivery of public services: increasing social…
New research from The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) shows that UK small business confidence has continued to fall, dipping into negative territory for the first time since 2012. Business owners feeling confident are outnumbered by those that feel the opposite. However, FSB found many immediate economic conditions improving, with small firms reporting greater access…
The UK service sector returned to growth in August, according the Markit/CIPS UK Services Business Activity Index. Following abrupt contractions in output and new business in July, linked to the EU referendum, the latest data signalled a return to growth as companies reported that uncertainty had abated somewhat. The business activity index rebounded to 52.9…
UK business confidence levels fell by 26 points to 6% in the past month, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. The survey was conducted in the week after the EU referendum – overall confidence fell to the lowest level for over four years but remained above the lows seen during…
Businesses in England should soon benefit from a quicker and more efficient service for their business rates issues with the launch of a new “check, challenge, appeal” process that should see genuine disputes settled more quickly. The Government is launching the online process in April 2017 after which businesses will be offered a three-stage process:…
Output growth remained subdued across England and Wales in May, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Regional Purchasing Managers’ Index. The weakness reflected a deteriorating trend in the flow of incoming new work, with job creation slowing as a result. The business activity index for England – which tracks changes in the combined output of…
April saw business activity growth slow across England and Wales, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Regional Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). Employment rose only slightly, signalling caution among businesses, while cost pressures picked up amid the introduction of the National Living Wage and higher fuel prices. The index measuring business activity across England’s private sector…
Growth in output and employment was slightly higher in March compared to February, but the first quarter of 2016 as a whole was the worst in almost three years, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Regional Purchasing Managers’ Index. The business activity index for England – which tracks changes in the combined output of manufacturing…
The Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, has launched a review to increase the economic and social impact of mission-led businesses in the UK economy. Mission-led businesses use their business models to achieve both social and economic impact but do not register their mission in legal terms by becoming a charity or a community-interest company….
The use of complicated and extensive Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) is under government review, Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, has announced. Last year, research from consumer group Which? found that some of the longest T&Cs were over 38,000 words, longer than Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”! The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is now asking consumers who have…