SMEs bullish despite rising costs
The impact of rising costs is not dampening the growth aspirations of the UK's SMEs, according to new research by Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks. Its survey has found that 65% of small business owners said their costs had risen in the past 12 months, with raw materials, staff salaries and energy costs causing the most concern. Even so, 75% plan to invest in their business in the coming year, with new equipment, premises and staff being top of the priority list.
BCC concerned about latest change to parental leave laws
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has expressed concern at the latest proposal to change parental leave laws. George Osborne announced that in future, grandparents will be eligible to share leave with working parents. "Another change to parental leave policy is the last thing businesses need after a decade of upheaval," sais Dr Adam Marshall, BCC executive director. "The last set of changes hasn't even bedded in yet, and many firms will be astonished that the Government has decided to intervene yet again."
Steep fine for firm that made millions of marketing calls
The ICO has fined Home Energy & Lifestyle Management Ltd £200,000 after ruling that it recklessly broke marketing call regulations. The green energy firm had made over six million calls as part of a massive automated campaign offering "free" solar panels. The law states that firms must have people's permission before they call. Steve Eckersley, head of enforcement at the ICO, said: "This company's ignorance of the law is beyond belief. It should be a warning to other companies to think before they launch into a campaign."
The Apprentice is back
The BBC has unveiled the next bunch of wannabe entrepreneurs ahead of the start, next week, of the 11th series of The Apprentice. There's a £250,000 investment at stake and the chance to go into a business partnership with Lord Sugar. Over the course of 12 weeks, the 18 candidates will be whittled down by Lord Sugar, helped by Karren Brady and Claude Littner, already well-known to regular viewers as the terrifying interviewer of past finalists.