News

Enterprising pupils fired up for the ROCKET business challenge

Would-be entrepreneurs from four Birmingham schools are taking part in a challenge to test their business acumen. The ROCKET Challenge 2010 is being launched at the University of Birmingham Business School on June 30 and will see dozens of Year 11 and 12 pupils from across the city take part in a two-week business event.

Emergency Budget

Here are the key points from today's Budget, with a particular focus on business and tax changes:

Self-employed workers to gain maternity and pensions benefits

Self-employed workers will be entitled to maternity leave and pensions benefits for the first time under new laws introduced by the European Union (EU).

Small businesses need stronger voice with local councils

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called for greater communication between local authorities and small businesses, claiming that small firms need a stronger voice with their councils. FSB Welsh policy chairwoman Janet Jones said the FSB believes councils could improve their relationships with the local business community.

Coalition Government announces plans for business

The new Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition Government has wasted no time in announcing its proposed plans for the next parliament.

Banks must strengthen relationships with small business

Banks must forge stronger links with small businesses in order to help them recover from the economic downturn, according to a recent report.

Business and enterprise in the Budget 2010

Small businesses are set to benefit from a package of measures worth £2.5 billion in the 2010 Budget, according to the Chancellor.  Key measures include creation of a £500 million Growth Capital Fund to invest in small, growing businesses, part-funded by the bailed out banks.  The Budget has revealed that 2 high street banks have agreed to lend £94 billion to businesses over the next 12 months, of which £41billion will be lent to SMEs. 

HMRC scraps paper returns for small business PAYE

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is no longer permitting small firms to submit paper returns for employee pay records. It has issued a reminder to businesses that all PAYE returns must be filed online, even if the firm has less than 50 staff. There is free filing software available for small businesses from HMRC or other suppliers.

WIN YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND PUBLICITY PACKAGE WORTH £120,000!

2010 will be a special year for one aspiring entrepreneur thanks to  Coventry City Council, CV One, Mercia and the Coventry Telegraph who, in a unique move, have teamed up to offer a city centre shop along with a  publicity package free of charge for one year! 

Entrepreneurial mums on the increase

15% of UK mums have already started their own business, and a further one in 10 aspire to do the same.  A survey of 1,286 mums by BT Business via Netmums website suggests that ‘mumpreneurs’ have the potential to become a greater entrepreneurial force during this decade.  62% of mums surveyed said choosing the hours they work was the reason they wanted to start-up their own venture, while 50% wanted a better work/life balance and 38% said they liked the idea of being their own boss.