Government Announcements

Business groups respond to Queen's Speech

09 May 13

The Government's plans for the new parliamentary session have been outlined in the Queen's Speech. Proposals of interest to businesses include those around national insurance contributions, consumer rights and deregulation.

Revamp for Scottish planning system

08 May 13

Proposals to overhaul Scotland's planning system will help to deliver more jobs and sustainable economic growth, the Scottish Government has said.

Funding for Lending Scheme extended for SMEs

24 Apr 13

The Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS), designed to boost lending to businesses and households, is to be extended until January 2015, the Bank of England has announced.

SMEs at increasing threat of cyber-attacks

23 Apr 13

Small businesses are being urged to do more to tighten their computer security after research revealed the number of cyber-attacks hitting businesses increased over the last year.

Business bank opens for business

11 Apr 13

The Government-backed business bank has launched its first phase of funding, worth £300 million, to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) access finance.

Business bank to lend £3.9 billion to SMEs

25 Mar 13

The new state-backed business bank will offer £3.9 billion of capital to boost lending to small and medium sized businesses, business secretary Vince Cable has unveiled.

Budget 2013: Businesses welcome 'bold' measures

21 Mar 13

Business groups have broadly welcomed Chancellor George Osborne's Budget 2013 measures, which included an employer's allowance for national insurance contributions.

Budget 2013: expectations

20 Mar 13

George Osborne will deliver his fiscal plans for the year ahead against stalling economic growth, which remains well below pre-2008 levels. We take a look at what businesses and consumers want from the Chancellor's fourth Budget announcement.

Non-EU exports growing fastest in east of England

18 Mar 13

The east of England is the UK's fastest growing exporter to countries outside the European Union. The total value of exports from the region reached £6.7 billion during the final three months of 2012.

Whiplash claims must be reduced, say MPs and insurers

15 Mar 13

A committee of MPs will look at how the number and cost of whiplash claims in the UK can be reduced, it has been announced.

High earners reminded of child benefit charge

13 Mar 13

People receiving child benefit who have an income of over £60,000 are being reminded to opt out of receiving payments before the 28 March in order to avoid paying a new charge by self-assessment tax return.

SME exporters unaware of government support

08 Mar 13

Small- and medium-sized enterprises are largely unaware of the export support available to them from government, according to a report from the House of Lords Committee on SMEs.

Half of business red-tape to be cut

28 Feb 13

Half of the 115 regulations affecting the day-to-day running of UK businesses are to be removed, according to initial findings from the Government's Company and Commercial Law Red Tape Challenge.

Marginal rise in NI unemployed count

22 Feb 13

The number of unemployed people in Northern Ireland increased by 0.2 per cent in the final quarter of 2012, according to the latest labour market figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency.

Government lending scheme boosts economy and creates jobs

20 Feb 13

More than 10,000 small and medium-sized businesses have accessed £1.04 billion worth of loans through the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme, according to research by Durham Business School.