Access to finance continues to be a critical issue when it comes to encouraging businesses to grow, one expert has claimed. David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, noted the government is "absolutely right" to try and...

Companies are not being left with sufficient time to prepare for the phasing out of the default retirement age (DRA), one expert has claimed. John Cridland, Confederation of British Industry deputy director-general, added a number of firms will be left with...

The decision to close a minimum wage loophole is a welcome move, one expert has claimed. Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said the policy has to ensure there is a "robust pay floor" that can provide assistance...

Businesses believe the emergency Budget struck the right balance between spending cuts and tax rises, newly-released figures have shown. A survey carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) found 64% of those questioned thought...

The government has launched a new consultation regarding implementing changes to current financial regulation that will help protect taxpayers. Announced by financial secretary to the Treasury Mark Hoban, the move means interested parties...

A new paper aimed at improving access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) has been launched by the government. Titled Financing a Private Sector Recovery, the publication includes a number of options that may help...

Small businesses are wasting time trying to deal with an overly complicated tax system, it has been suggested. Andrew Hubbard, immediate past president of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, observed there are many inconsistencies in...

Stamp duty breaks for first-time buyers remains a popular measure, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). In its latest Housing Market Survey, the group found 89% of Britons are in favour of extending the...

Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP), the trade body for equity release companies, has suggested the market is adapting as current providers move to fill the void left by those who stopped trading in the last year. Several of the group's members reported strong...

Honesty in the workplace is more important than ever, according to one human resources specialist. Claire McCartney, an adviser from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said the recession made staff desire honesty from managers regarding...

Half a million working families are set to lose more than £1,000 a year in tax credit allowances, according to a recent report from the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The emergency Budget announced on 22 June outlined tariff changes,...

The government should be doing more so that first-time buyers can enter the property market, it has been suggested. Katy John, press officer for PricedOut.org.uk - national campaign for affordable house prices - noted young people have had to deal with...

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reported good output rise this summer, as demand favours UK-made goods. In the three months leading to July, manufacturing sector production rose at its fastest rate in 15 years, which may indicate the beginning...

A survey by the Federation of Small Businesses revealed commercial confidence is down over the second quarter of this year, based on responses from 1,200 members. Three-quarters of organisations who believed in March future business prospects were strong no...

Gross mortgage lending in June was up 15% on the previous four weeks and 7% on the same period in 2009, reveals the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). Last month, the total number of house purchase loans approved stood at £13.1 billion, an increase from...

A number of MPs are concerned by the perceived lack of regulation when it comes to the letting market, it has been revealed. More than 60 of the elected politicians have signed an early day motion in response to the government's decision to abandon the plans...

Businesses need to make sure they have bosses that empathise with its staff, one expert has claimed. Shaf Rasul, a dragon on Dragon's Den online and a judge for the 2010 Orange Leader of the Year Award, noted the move will help sustain office morale and it...

Economic recovery in the medium term should be encouraged through raising exports and increasing investment, according to one economist. Philip Shaw of Investec argued stronger exports would "allow the economy to move ahead" and added this would...

Now might be a good time for individuals to start up their own business, as one industry specialist argues recessions can provide "good opportunities" for entrepreneurs who are able to spot a gap in the market. Kathleen Hall of SmallBusiness.co.uk...

Ordinary homeowners will be among those adversely affected if interest rates are to rise in the near future, according to one specialist. Chris Jenkins, co-owner of the Homeowners Advice Centre, claims an increase in the base rate would mean many mortgages...

The sale of annuities is not being regulated properly by the Financial Services Authority, one expert has claimed. Dr Ros Altman, a pensions specialist, noted consumers have been "badly let down" by the system. She added individuals may be sold...

Private sector job creation needs to be boosted by government action, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has argued. The organisation was commenting following the publication of Office for National Statistics employment data, which showed an increase in...

The threat of a double-dip recession in the UK is a real possibility, one expert has claimed. Dr Howard Archer, chief European and UK economist for IHS Global Insight, noted the country is taking a risk with the growth outlook if the government tightens...

The lack of supply of rental properties is getting worse, it has been revealed. Research carried out by the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) revealed 70% of member offices have more tenants than homes. This is an increase from the figure of...

Demand for property in the UK is rising, despite mortgage lenders continuing to place restrictions on the availability of finance. That is the suggestion of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), which found the number of prospective buyers is on...