http://www.businessbabble.co.uk Comments on the world of business in the UK. Excellent resource for startup businesses Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:30:06 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The chancellor announced a series of tax-cutting measures in yesterday's Pre-Budget Report. The main changes include: 1. The main rate of Value Added Tax will, from December 1st, be reduced from 17.5% to 15% until the end of 2009. 2. Deferral of the increase in the small companies’ rate of corporation tax. ... http://www.businessbabble.co.uk/2008/11/25/pre-budget-report-2008/ The current economic climate is acting as a spur for thousands of people to become their own boss and to start a business from home, according to a new report by Enterprise Nation and BT. The 2008 Home Business Report, launched as part of Small Business Week 2008, highlights a 16 ... http://www.businessbabble.co.uk/2008/11/10/credit-crunch-and-small-businesses/ Small businesses and entrepreneurs in the UK are crying out for mentoring and coaching advice, according to research released from Yell.com. Undoubtedly fuelled by worries about the current economic climate and the future of their careers and businesses, people are increasingly turning to the internet to find mentoring, support and business ... http://www.businessbabble.co.uk/2008/11/10/34/ A competition offering cash rewards for the most inspiring business ideas have been launched in Glasgow. Four awards of 20,000, plus three months support worth 5,000, are up for grabs in the 2008-09 Glasgow Business Challenge Fund. Run by Glasgow City Council, the fund is open to small and medium-sized ... http://www.businessbabble.co.uk/2008/10/26/financial-assistance-for-glasgow-business-ideas/ The new minimum wage levels which came into effect today (1 October 2008) are as follows: 5.73 per hour for workers aged 22 years and older A development rate of 4.77 per hour for workers aged 18-21 inclusive 3.53 per hour for all workers under the age of 18, who are ... http://www.businessbabble.co.uk/2008/10/01/national-minimum-wages-changes/ Business owners rate protecting their businesses above insuring their staff's safety, according to figures released by Norwich Union. Tough economic and financial circumstances has seen smaller companies squeezed for cash and taking an increasingly defensive approach to business insurance. The insurer discovered businesses were significantly more likely to consider policies ... http://www.businessbabble.co.uk/2008/09/23/business-insurance-survey/ The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has awarded grants of nearly a million pounds to help food caterers and food retailers improve food safety. Local authorities will administer the grants of up to �50,000, and will involve community groups, local colleges and a range of other organisations in delivery of ... http://www.businessbabble.co.uk/2008/09/17/food-business-funding/ New laws will come into force in October that govern the display of company names at premises. The Companies (Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2008 are effective as of 1 October this year, and will mean that companies will have to display their registered name at their registered office and their inspection ... http://www.businessbabble.co.uk/2008/09/16/companies-regulations-2008-changes/ Following the Chancellor's announcement, the basic Personal Allowance for the 2008-09 tax year is increasing by 600 from 5,435 to 6,035 and the basic rate limit is reducing from 36,000 to 34,800. As a result, many employees will see their tax code change in September. The new tax codes must ... http://www.businessbabble.co.uk/2008/08/22/personal-allowance-and-basic-rate-tax-changes/ A recent survey reveals that more people are starting a business to strengthen their financial security despite the current economic climate. The research was carried out by business consultants www.getsetforbusiness.com who surveyed businesses established for less than six months on their motivations for becoming self employed. Over 40% ... http://www.businessbabble.co.uk/2008/08/21/new-business-start-up-figures-unaffected-by-credit-crunch/