http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/ en-gb Wed, 22 February 2012 21:37:59 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/more+competition+needed+to+free+up+credit+to+small+firms+say+business+groups Business groups have called for more competition in the retail banking industry, after figures revealed high street banks fell short of their 2011 lending target to small businesses, writes Simon Wicks. Fri, 17 February 2012 9:54:15 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/almost+half+of+employees+have+dated+a+colleague+finds+poll Office romance might be a headache for business owners, but almost half of employees have dated a colleague, research by CareerBuilder has highlighted. Fri, 17 February 2012 9:53:04 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/falling+inflation+a+boost+to+business+confidence+say+business+groups Business groups have welcomed January’s sharp fall in inflation, saying it will boost consumer and business confidence and reduce costs for small firms. Fri, 17 February 2012 9:52:01 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/competition+seeks+best+of+new+british+inventions Start-ups and businesses with innovative pre-market products and services are being called on to enter the Government’s Make it in Great Britain Challenge, and be in with a chance of having their efforts showcased in London’s Science Museum this summer. Fri, 17 February 2012 9:48:59 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/free+support+aims+to+boost+numbers+of+business+mentors Small-business owners are being encouraged to sign up as volunteer business mentors, with the help of a new online training tool launched by the Government. Fri, 17 February 2012 9:48:07 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/former+dragon+launches+free+web-training+workshops+for+online+traders Former Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Doug Richard has launched a series of free business training bootcamps aimed at small firms that want to expand online. Fri, 17 February 2012 9:45:51 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/hmrc+online+webinars+to+make+tax+hassle-free+for+businesses Small businesses and self-employed workers trying to grips with their tax obligations can access advice online, following the launch of a series of live webinars by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Fri, 17 February 2012 9:44:36 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/hse+launches+office+risk+assessment+tool Office-based businesses can quickly complete their health and safety risk assessment, following the launch of an online tool by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Fri, 17 February 2012 9:42:59 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/1500+incentive+payment+for+small+firms+to+take+on+apprentices Small businesses are to be given a £1,500 ‘incentive payment’ to take on their first apprentice aged 16-24 as part of a raft of new financial measures to encourage businesses to recruit and train new staff, writes Simon Wicks. Fri, 10 February 2012 11:38:14 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/staff+only+dare+skive+one+day+during+the+downturn More than 400,000 employees are believed to have taken a day off work on 6 February, dubbed ‘National Sickie Day’, according to law firm ELAS. Fri, 10 February 2012 11:36:46 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/service+sector+growth+suggests+double-dip+unlikely The UK service sector grew at its fastest rate for nearly a year in January, helping to dampen fears of a recession, figures from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) have revealed. Fri, 10 February 2012 11:35:23 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/reforms+oblige+employers+to+report+fewer+workplace+accidents The number of workplace accidents that employers are obliged to report will reduce from April, following the introduction of reforms to health and safety laws. Fri, 10 February 2012 11:32:52 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/almost+half+of+small+firms+energy+use+is+wasted+finds+british+gas Small firms are wasting up to half of their electricity usage by powering their business premises after hours, research by British Gas has revealed. Fri, 10 February 2012 11:30:52 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/one+in+ten+invoices+go+unpaid+each+year More than one in ten invoices issued by small firms go unpaid each year, research by business network Tradeshift has revealed. Fri, 10 February 2012 11:29:23 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/hmrc+to+crack+down+on+known+paye+dodgers Employers with a track record of avoiding PAYE and National Insurance (NI) payments will have to make an upfront security payment from April, under a new scheme unveiled by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Fri, 10 February 2012 11:28:07 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/awards+allow+firms+to+demonstrate+health+and+safety+credentials Small businesses with outstanding health and safety records are being called on to enter the 2012 International Safety Awards and have their achievements recognised. Fri, 10 February 2012 11:27:12 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/sales+slump+may+continue+in+february+warn+business+groups High street sales slumped in January and are likely to fall again in February, a report by the Confederation of British industry (CBI) has warned. Fri, 3 February 2012 10:54:06 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/small+firms+urged+to+get+involved+in+national+apprenticeship+week Small firms have been called on to take part in this year’s National Apprenticeship Week to help raise awareness of the opportunities apprenticeships can offer school leavers, graduates and the unemployed. Fri, 3 February 2012 10:53:10 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/olympic+contracts+still+up+for+grabs Small businesses can still benefit from the summer Olympics as £50 million in contracts remain available, organisers LOCOG has confirmed. Fri, 3 February 2012 10:51:54 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/red+tape+challenge+focuses+on+company+law Small firms are being called on to help cut excessive regulation in company law, as part of the Government’s on-going Red Tape Challenge. Fri, 3 February 2012 10:50:46 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/pensions+auto-enrolment+delayed+until+2017 Business groups have welcomed the Government’s decision to delay the pension auto-enrolment date for small firms by two years. Fri, 3 February 2012 10:49:52 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/local+market+campaign+wont+help+high+street+long-term+say+retail+groups A Government-backed scheme to encourage new traders to set up market stalls in their local town has been criticised by business groups. Fri, 3 February 2012 10:49:00 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/enterprise+calendar+highlights+key+dates+for+small+firms+in+2012 Small firms can quickly check upcoming business events in 2012, following the launch of a free online business calendar by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Fri, 3 February 2012 10:47:53 GMT http://businessinformation.allianzretail.co.uk/news/small+firms+compete+to+be+private+business+of+the+year Small firms have been called on to enter the Private Business of the Year Awards 2012, which celebrate the most successful UK private sector organisations. Fri, 3 February 2012 10:47:02 GMT