UK business leader confidence nosedives towards pandemic lows December 1, 2024 Confidence among business leaders in the prospects for the UK economy nosedived towards levels not seen since the coronavirus pandemic during November, as fears over rising national insurance bills plague firms. The Institute of Director’s monthly Economic Confidence index fell to -65 in November, down from -52 during October in its fourth consecutive monthly fall. [...]
These two mistakes are making today’s Budget harder than it needs to be October 30, 2024 The problem with Rachel Reeves promising both ‘stability’ and ‘growth’ is that the two can be mutually exclusive. Governments do not create growth; businesses do and they rely on innovation and risk taking, says Alys Denby Not since George Osborne’s ‘caesar’ cut has a Chancellor’s hair-do caused such a sensation. Did Rachel Reeves’ newly auburn [...]
Fear of failure is holding British entrepreneurs back October 24, 2024 Too many aspiring UK entrepreneurs believe they are doomed to fail before even starting a business, a new report finds It takes great courage to start a business. Often, it means leaving a job with a guaranteed income, holiday allowances and welfare contributions. It is hardly unsurprising then that most people are afraid to make [...]
Businesses ‘cautious’ about the future as tax fears dominate, survey shows October 9, 2024 This was the first time in a year that business confidence had decreased, although the ICAEW noted that confidence was still double the pre-pandemic average.
The Notebook: Less of the doom please. Business is spooked! October 9, 2024 Business optimism is plunging and no wonder. With all the doom and gloom, has Labour forgotten its mission of growth? Asks Kiki McDonough
Listen to business when it comes to workers’ rights October 9, 2024 The government must remember that employers need flexibility to thrive, writes John Dickie
Businesses ‘clearly anxious’ as budget approaches, survey shows October 8, 2024 The BCC's quarterly economic survey showed that 48 per cent of firms cited taxation as a worry, up from 36 per cent the quarter before.
Does Life Coaching work? We booked a session to find out October 3, 2024 Would you see a life coach? This is the question I have been asking anyone who would listen for the last month. And what would you ask them? About your career? Your health? Your love life? Well guess what: I’ve got a date with Michael Serwa, the UK’s highest paid life coach! No one could [...]
The eternal jobstopper? The future of face tattoos October 3, 2024 Jamie McPhee’s first face tattoo was a little star under his eye. He just fancied it. After the star under his left eye, he got a star under his right eye – the asymmetry was bugging him. Before you could say, “Are you sure that’s a good idea, Jamie?” he had a skull and crossbones [...]
Business confidence ticks down ahead of Budget September 30, 2024 Business confidence dropped to a three-month low in September, in yet another sign of firms adapting to the sombre tone ahead of the Budget.