Workers’ rights: A third of small firms plan to cut jobs Business A third of small businesses expect to cut jobs in the near future due to fears that the government’s upcoming workers’ rights package will leave them facing painful tribunals and a higher sick pay bill. A fresh survey from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) shows that in the fourth quarter of last year, 33 [...]
Start-up boom or doom? How this year could spark the UK’s business appetite For many, the new year is a time to celebrate leaving the stress of our past behind – kickstarting a number of resolutions designed to spark a sense of optimism in the months ahead. But that sense of hopefulness can only last for so long when the dreaded sense of reality soon finds its way [...]
Small firms slash jobs on fears of employment rights bill Business An alarming number of businesses have become increasingly concerned about the future of the UK’s workforce under the new Labour government’s employment reforms. A fresh survey of 1,270 small employers by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed over 90 per cent are worried about the implications of the Employment Rights Bill. A majority [...]
Workers’ rights: Business secretary defends ‘rushed job’ bill October 10, 2024 The business secretary has defended the government’s plan to overhaul workers’ rights after a lobby group branded it a “rushed job, chaotic and poorly planned”.
Workers’ rights fines will harm growth and jobs, small businesses warn September 3, 2024 The government risks “reversing economic growth” and disincentivising hiring if it pursues plans to issue “punitive” fines to businesses that breach its workers’ rights plan, industry leaders have warned. Businesses face paying thousands of pounds in fines if they fall foul of the new protections that Labour are hoping to introduce, it was revealed on [...]
Workers rights: Ministers meet unions but warned on ‘unintended consequences’ of reform August 15, 2024 Unions and employers have met with the government to discuss new plans for workers rights but it comes as ministers are warned against “unintended consequences” of reforms. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds met unions and businesses on Wednesday to kick-start Labour’s work on employment rights. Rayner hailed the meeting as [...]
Minister urges insurers to ‘swiftly resolve’ riot claims August 12, 2024 Insurers have been urged to “swiftly resolve” claims from businesses which suffered damage during the recent rioting.
Violence on the streets has a long tail in terms of stability August 12, 2024 Starmer has built his vision on stability - but the riots could undermine all that, writes Eliot Wilson
Entrepreneurs tackling carbon emissions crowned small business of the year May 16, 2024 12 awards were handed out in total to firms from Edinburgh to Stowmarket and Stockton-on-Tees to Powys. but CCU cleaned up with both the top prize and the innovation award to boot.
Financial regulator commits to investigate ‘harsh’ lending practices raised by the Federation of Small Businesses March 5, 2024 The investigation follows a super-complaint filed by the FSB in December, which said banks’ lending practices “excessively demand personal guarantees for business loans” and put a damper on business growth.