2008 Business News

Neil Westwood & Co.

Chartered Accountants

3 December 2008	Small firms 'reluctant' to pass on VAT cut, warns business group Small firms 'confused' by Data Protection Act Discounts 'fail to tempt' shoppers
26 November 2008	Mortgage lending down by 52% in October Darling cuts VAT to 15% Interest rates could be cut even further
19 November 2008	Duty limit raised for online purchases Internet 'instrumental' in surviving the downturn Figures show surprise rise in spending Buy to let landlords facing difficulties
12 November 2008	UK interest rates slashed to 50-year low High street sales 'lowest in three years' Businesses targeted through skills ad campaign
5 November 2008	Darling announces £4bn boost for business Older workers face 'increased risk of redundancy' Business leaders call for interest rate cut
29 October 2008	Firms back campaign to scrap empty property tax HMRC relaxes self assessment penalty rules EU grants agency workers equal rights
22 October 2008	Pension payments decline as Brits rein in spending Businesses to face tougher health and safety penalties Government to 'prioritise training for SMEs'
15 October 2008	Small businesses 'must be at forefront' of bank rescue package Credit Crunch 'boosts ID fraud', report claims Small Business Week 2008 is launched Bank of England cuts interest rates
8 October 2008	Important changes to self assessment tax system UK 'already in recession', warns business group Savings to be guaranteed up to £50,000
1 October 2008	Raft of new business regulations come into force Small business running costs 'double UK inflation' rate Banking turmoil 'could harm small businesses,' warns lobby group
24 September 2008	Banks lending to small firms despite 'credit crunch' Pension scheme membership declines EU to cut mobile phone charges
17 September 2008	Business confidence slumps to new low FSB calls for review of parking policies to help small firms Apprentices to receive pay boost
13 March 2008	2008 Budget: Darling’s design for a ‘greener’ future
13 March 2008	2008 Budget Report: the political reaction
13 March 2008	2008 Budget Report: the business reaction
13 March 2008	2008 Budget Report: Darling downgrades economic growth forecasts
12 March 2008	Darling poised for ‘green Budget’
12 March 2008	Tax ‘revamp’ needed to help economy prosper, argues CBI
12 March 2008	Minimum Wage set to rise in October
5 March 2008	Policing illegal workers ‘not a job for small business owners’
5 March 2008	2008 Budget will ‘hit small businesses hard’, warns FPB
5 March 2008	New service to enable same-day cash transfers
27 February 2008	Unnecessary expenses ‘costing UK firms £1bn’
27 February 2008	Business groups unite in protest over Agency Bill
27 February 2008	New technology to boost business competitiveness
20 February 2008	FSB in final plea ahead of 2008 Budget
20 February 2008	British business feels the pinch of ‘bureaucratic burden’
20 February 2008	Cheque use in rapid rate of decline
13 February 2008	Non-dom tax changes to ‘cost Treasury £2bn’
13 February 2008	SMEs have ‘love-hate’ relationship with the internet
13 February 2008	Government face ‘tough challenge’ over employment levels
6 February 2008	Extra funding to help early resolution of workplace disputes
6 February 2008	Darling fixes date for 2008 Budget
6 February 2008	Businesses failing to protect consumer data
30 January 2008	Darling confirms capital gains tax reforms
30 January 2008	Businesses to receive apprenticeship boost
30 January 2008	Online tax return filing ‘safe and secure’ insists HMRC
23 January 2008	UK businesses unite against fuel duty rise
23 January 2008	Government urged to reconsider proposed ‘income splitting’ legislation
23 January 2008	Small businesses to compete for Olympic contracts
16 January 2008	Submit tax returns early to avoid potential ‘chaos’
16 January 2008	Businesses in ‘complete confusion’ over capital gains uncertainty
16 January 2008	Proposed new powers for HMRC
9 January 2008	Businesses ‘hit hardest’ by rising fuel costs
9 January 2008	Brits struggling to manage their finances this New Year
9 January 2008	Small firms urged to evaluate energy bills
3 January 2008	New advisory fuel rates from 1 January
3 January 2008	British businesses to face a ‘difficult’ 2008
3 January 2008	Know your employment rights for 2008, Government urges

Neil Westwood & Co.

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West Midlands, DY2 7DJ