The government’s targets for rolling out high-speed broadband to businesses across the UK need to be “much more” ambitious, according to a report by the Federation of Small businesses (FSB). Whereas households have largely felt the benefits of increased high-speed broadband coverage, 45,000 businesses are still struggling with dial-up connections at speeds of 2 megabits […]
Pension savers will have the right to free and impartial guidance on how to benefit from the pension reforms that come into effect in April 2015, the Treasury has announced. From April 2015, around 300,000 people in defined contribution schemes will have greater freedom over how they access their savings, removing the requirement to buy […]
Acknowledging the importance of the service industry in fostering economic growth, Puerto Rico has enacted a tax incentives program for companies that render services to clients located abroad. The statutory basis of this program is the Services Export Development Act (SEDA), also known as Act 20-2012. Concurrently, Puerto Rico approved Act No. 22-2012 (Act 22) […]
The consumer prices index (CPI) rate of inflation rose sharply to 1.9% in June 2014, up from 1.5% in May 2014, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said rising prices in clothing, footwear, food and transport were responsible for the unexpected increase. This is the seventh consecutive month that the CPI […]
More than a third (39%) of joint property purchases in the next 2 years will be made between friends, family members and unmarried couples, a survey by Santander has found. The research found that 77% of people who plan to purchase a house in the next 2 years will buy jointly. Of those who are […]
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are owed £39.4 billion in late payments, research by Bacs Payment Schemes (Bacs) has found. Bacs, the company behind automated payments such as Direct Debit, surveyed 350 firms and found that UK firms are owed £46.1 billion. SMEs are being forced to shoulder most of the debt burden as corporate […]
Four in 10 people who are aware of the ISA changes say they will help them to save more, research by Which? has found. From 1 July 2014, ISAs were reformed into the New ISA with a £15,000 annual limit for cash and stocks and shares. The survey of over 2,000 people revealed that 54% […]
UK manufacturing output fell by 1.3% in May 2014, the biggest drop since January 2013, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the decline in output was caused by falling production of coke and refined petroleum (-8.4%), electrical equipment (-7%) and pharmaceutical products (-5.9%). The fall in manufacturing output contributed to […]
More than a quarter of British employees dream of running a business, according to a survey from Lloyds Bank Insurance. The report reveals that 26% of workers have entrepreneurial aspirations but the fear of taking risk is preventing a third (33%) from starting a business. Nearly half (48%) believe that the economic environment is not […]
The UK housing market ‘remained strong’ in June 2014 as prices rose 1% during the month, according to data collected by Nationwide. The monthly housing survey found that prices increased by 11.8% in June 2014 compared to a year earlier, with all UK regions seeing price increases. Key findings: London prices recorded the biggest jump, […]
A free guide for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on debt and equity finance has been published by the British Business Bank and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). The Business Finance Guide explains the finance considerations and options at each stage of a business’s journey, from start-up to growth and […]
Two-thirds (66%) of 18-24 year-olds are unaware that the annual ISA allowance will rise to £15,000 in July, according to a survey by Nationwide Building Society. From the 1 July, the New ISA (NISA) system will allow customers up to £15,000 in tax-free savings and the ability to transfer savings in stocks and shares ISAs […]