UK/Ireland Small Business NEws Round-up – 18/07/2008

Here is this week’s news round-up for home business, micro business, sole-traders, freelancers, self-employed and any one who is interested in small business news from the United Kingdom and Ireland:

• Small companies on brink of tax revolt: Small business owners are so unhappy with the tax system that many are close to refusing to comply with their legal obligations, a lobby organisation has claimed.
• Demise of energy champion leaves businesses with nowhere to turn: The FSB is warning that the demise of energywatch in October this year will leave small businesses with nowhere to turn for help and advice with energy contracts
• FSB launches plan for local business survival: In a bid to save small businesses from being driven out of the UKs high streets, the Federation of Small Businesses is urging the government to support its Keep Trade Local Campaign.
• Small businesses in it for the long hall: New research suggests that small business owners are in it for the long haul, with 28% expecting to run their companies for over 25 years – longer than the average marriage in the UK.
• Failure to cut interest rates is an opportunity missed, says FPB: Following the decision by the Bank of England to keep interest rates at 5%, the FPB is calling for the cost of borrowing to be cut in time for October’s Pre-Budget Report, in order to stimulate the growth of small businesses struggling as a result of the credit crunch.
• FSB Push To Keep Trade Local: In a bid to save small businesses from being driven out of the UK’s high streets, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is urging the government to support its Keep Trade Local campaign.
• SFA: ESB price hike will result in job losses: Jobs will be lost as a result of the latest ESB price hike, according to the Small Firms Association.
• FPB urges small firms to guard against the credit crunch: The FPB is urging small firms to plan ahead and protect themselves against the credit crunch. New figures from Global Management Consultancy Hay Group show that 51% of UK businesses admit to having the wrong strategy to deal with the economic downturn.
• Chancellor blamed for burden of red tape: Alistair Darling has taken top prize in a new award scheme but he won’t be celebrating; the chancellor has been given the dubious honour of being the person most entrepreneurs think is to blame for the UK’s increasing red tape burden.

As always this list is not exhaustive, but I hope it will give you a little overview. — ST.

One Response to “ UK/Ireland Small Business NEws Round-up – 18/07/2008 ”

1. Andrew Ivey
   
   Said on July 18th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

   The “Personal Contractors Group Revolt” doesn’t have the same ring as the “Peasants’ Revolt” of 1381. Those protesters came to a sticky end. The PCG will, however, survive the current Government. And it’s the next General Election that they’ve definitely got their eye on. Good luck.

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