UK/Ireland Small Business News Round-up – 20/06/2008

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:

• SMEs Face Tighter Credit Restrictions: Credit management company Graydons UK, have warned that on the back of the credit crunch and economic slowdown, SMEs are facing a tough time with suppliers tightening their credit terms or requirements.
• Taxing times ahead for small firms, Warns the FPB: The FPB is concerned that a move by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to reduce the overall number of tax offices in the UK and cut jobs by more than 3,000 could have an adverse effect on many small businesses. The FPB believes that reducing HMRC staff from 12,300 to 9,150 is likely to lead to delays in the administration of tax.
• Don’t take us back to the 1970s, FSB warns: The government has been urged by the UK Federation of Small Businesses not to take the British labour market back to the 1970s by signing up to damaging employment legislation at the EU Employment ministers meeting in Luxembourg this Monday.
• Government must do more to recognise on-the-job training: Small businesses are being short-changed by the government when it comes to recognising workplace training, according to the Federation of Small Businesses.
• FPB helps small firms guard against corporate manslaughter prosecutions: The FPB is helping the owners of small businesses to guard against prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act (Corporate Homicide Act in Scotland). The regulations, which leaves firms facing unlimited fines following fatal work-related accidents, were introduced by the Government in April.
• 3 unveils new tariffs for small to medium business users: 3 today unveiled a new range of tariffs for small businesses that will be available through both 3 stores and independent dealers.
• SMEs Miss Out On Government Funds For Staff Training: Funds of £115million, set aside by the government to help SMEs with staff training, has now been transferred to other budgets because of the lack of take up by small companies.
• FPB Launches petition against Manchester congestion charge: The Government’s acceptance of Manchester’s bid for £1.5 billion in Transport Innovation Funding (TIF) means that many small businesses making deliveries to the city centre during rush hour periods could hit by a tax of up to £5. The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has responded to the move by launching a petition against the proposed ‘congestion charge’.
• Free guide to combat fraud for small businesses: Equifax has released a free concise guide to protecting small businesses from fraud. Includes a 12-point checklist, and how to order the PDF guide.
• Illegal Workers, Companies ‘Named and Shamed’: The Home Office has announced that it is ‘naming and shaming’ companies that flout the law by employing illegal immigrants, on it’s website from 19th June.

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 – 20/06/2008 ”

1. Andrew Ivey
   
   Said on June 20th, 2008 at 7:37 pm

   I’m alarmed to see that the Forum for Private Business (FPB) is concerned with Revenue and Customs (HMRC) plans to downsize. Yes, 3,000 fewer tax office staff and fewer offices will present HMRC with both management and ongoing service challenges. But the FPB seriously can’t imagine that having more tax office personnel makes for better service. I think it’s the opposite. More HMRC staff equals more bureaucracy, more headache and higher cost to the taxpayer. It’s time to downsize and reap the digital dividend.

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