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Friday, 28 August 2009 |
Record low pay rises 'show the strain'
The record low in pay rises seen recently is an indication of the pressures businesses are under, according to a leading think tank.
Research published yesterday (August 27th) by Incomes Data Service shows that the median pay settlement for the whole economy currently stands at one per cent the lowest figure seen since the survey began in 1994. |
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Friday, 28 August 2009 |
Career-change 'can represent decisive action'
A commentator has stated people looking to take "decisive action" in their career are considering a change which could include setting up as a freelance consultant or contractor.
Although the trend is surprising, it is understandable if workers feel it is inevitable the "axe will fall", Monster.co.uk claimed. |
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Friday, 28 August 2009 |
Low pay rises 'underline pressure on UK firms'
The UK's current low average pay rises - which may have been noted by freelance consultants and contractors - underline the pressure the country's businesses are currently under, it has been suggested.
According to the Institute for Public Policy Research, crunch time for wages could be in the next 18 months, when Britain has come out of recession. |
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Thursday, 27 August 2009 |
Credit restrictions 'tempering business confidence'
The confidence of small businesses such as freelance consultants and contractors would be higher if credit restrictions were eased, it has been suggested.
Phil McCabe of the Forum for Private Business made the comment while reviewing recent research by Barclays, which found 49 per cent of organisations are planning to expand their operations over the next year. |
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Wednesday, 26 August 2009 |
SMEs 'should be wary of abusing email marketing'
Expertise on how to undertake effective marketing through email has been offered by a commentator, which may be of interest to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as freelance consultants and contractors.
Simon Bird claimed it can be important to get the balance right when sending out correspondence to customers and clients. |
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Wednesday, 26 August 2009 |
SMEs 'should focus on upskilling'
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as freelance consultants and contractors - should focus on upskilling to emerge stronger from the recession, it has been suggested.
Operations paying more than one worker should consider moving people between departments to utilise their expertise rather than making them redundant, Business Link stated. |
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Tuesday, 25 August 2009 |
Tips offered for businesses at VAT returns to normal
Small businesses and freelancers have received advice on how the return to a 17.5 per cent level of VAT will affect their finances.
The change, which is due to take affect from December 31st this year, has implications for administrative costs as some businesses are forced to re-price their wares. |
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Tuesday, 25 August 2009 |
Freelance consultants and contractors 'may be at increased risk of malware'
Freelance consultants and contractors who work in IT may be among those who could have noted an "extraordinary" rise in malware.
Security software firm Sophos suggested some 40,000 new viruses are released by crooks every day, with an increasing number occurring through the types of social networking sites people who work for themselves can use to find commissions. |
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Tuesday, 25 August 2009 |
Freelancers 'gaining savings confidence'
Freelance consultants and contractors could be among the people contributing to an increase in confidence in the savings market, which has been noted by an industry expert.
Ed Bowsher, Head of Consumer Finance at Lovemoney.com, remarked: "Given the economic climate people realise that you do need to have a
cushion [... for] when times are bad." |
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Tuesday, 25 August 2009 |
SMEs 'should think twice about reducing IT workforce'
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could be in "big trouble" if they reduce their IT workforce - which could include freelance consultants and contractors.
IT Contractor.com warned cutting costs through loss of staff may require serious thought, as skilled computer professionals could be critical to businesses' future. |
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Monday, 24 August 2009 |
Tax deficit 'will be higher than predicted'
The level of tax deficit will be even higher than the chancellor's predictions, according to the Liberal Democrats' Vince Cable.
New figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) indicate that public sector debt increased by around £170 billion in the 12 months to July 2009. |
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Monday, 24 August 2009 |
Email marketing 'most effective at ensuring customer retention'
Small businesses looking to gain a competitive advantage over other firms have been advised that email marketing is one of the most effective ways of retaining customers.
According to dotCommerce, although a website is the best tool for the job when it comes to encouraging people to purchase a product, email also helps to keep customers on board. |
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Monday, 24 August 2009 |
Businesses urged to 'consider alternatives to pay freezes'
Businesses have been advised that being too quick to introduce pay freezes may not be the best option during the recession.
Adopting flexible working strategies may be a better idea for companies hoping to reduce costs as, according to Work Wise, people will remember how they were treated by their employer when the upturn comes. |
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Monday, 24 August 2009 |
Advertising expenditure 'back in the black' by 2010
It has been predicted that by 2010, the amount of money businesses spend on advertising to gain a competitive advantage will return "to the black".
This is according to the Advertising Association, which has revealed that UK advertising expenditure is expected to fall by around 11.6 per cent in 2009. |
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Friday, 21 August 2009 |
SMEs 'should consider energy efficiency'
It is easier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which can include freelance consultants and contractors to be energy efficient in the modern world, it has been suggested.
According to Business Link, in the past many firms found being green problematic due to associated costs and regulations. |
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Friday, 21 August 2009 |
Corporation tax filing software 'should be released by end of 2009'
HMRC has announced its intention to have Corporation Tax software in place by the end of the year, in order that firms who must file online next March will have had time to familiarise themselves with the portal.
The Government body has offered expertise with filing the levy for next year in the form of a leaflet, which is being mailed to 500,000 companies and their tax agents. |
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Friday, 21 August 2009 |
EMI changes 'will aid SME growth'
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to continue expansion into international markets may have been given a boost by a new Government scheme.
After a summit with the European Commission, Westminster officials have rubber-stamped a State Aid-funded tax break on worker share options for businesses. |
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Friday, 21 August 2009 |
SMEs 'may benefit from VAT cut'
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the retail sector may benefit from a cut in VAT, something a trade association has called for.
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the tax should be removed from all appliances which are energy efficient, which would bring financial stimulation to the sector while aiding the environmental effort. |
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Friday, 21 August 2009 |
Government secures small firm tax breaks
The Government has secured a long-term tax break to enable small businesses to maintain recruitment levels.
Permission for the scheme, which is designed to allow businesses to recruit and retain highly-skilled employees during the recession, has been approved by the European Commission. |
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Thursday, 20 August 2009 |
Tax changes 'could cause mayhem'
Demands from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)for companies to disclose customer payment details could overburden firms and cost them a considerable amount, it has been warned.
Following a court order last week demanding hundreds of banks hand over details of customers with offshore accounts, lawyers at UHY Hacker Young have warned that HMRC could force all firms to disclose information, the Telegraph reports. |
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Wednesday, 19 August 2009 |
Inheritance tax interest payments 'will have small impact'
The interest payments on inheritance tax some bereaved freelance consultants and contracts may have to pay will have a small impact, it has been suggested.
Independent financial advisory firm Calcius stated it was not surprised HMRC was introducing the three per cent levy for those who pay late. |
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Wednesday, 19 August 2009 |
SMEs 'can increase sales through video marketing'
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may wish to take on board expertise that has been offered on video marketing.
Content management system provider Modera claimed including these types of clips on a firm's website can lead to higher sales. |
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Wednesday, 19 August 2009 |
Increase in business credit availability 'good sign'
An economist has stated it is a "good sign" that businesses are finding it easier to gain credit, something which could lead to more work opportunities for freelance consultants and contractors.
Melissa Kidd from Lombard Street Research stated some firms are "getting a bit more appetite" for borrowing money. |
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Wednesday, 19 August 2009 |
BRC calls for VAT cut on eco-friendly appliances
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has called for a tax cut on energy-efficient appliances in order to encourage uptake of eco-friendly products, as Chancellor Alistair Darling begins drafting this autumn's Pre-Budget Report.
Additionally, the organisation has put forward proposals for a car industry-style scrappage scheme to create an incentive for households to improve their energy efficiency while stimulating the retail sector. |
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Wednesday, 19 August 2009 |
Political figures back campaign to curb excessive pay
A new commission to curb excessive pay has been called for by a number of leading political figures.
The campaign for a new High Pay Commission was launched yesterday (August 17th) by left-wing think tank Compass and has attracted the backing of Liberal Democrat shadow chancellor Vince Cable, MP John Cruddas and TUC general secretary Brendan Barber. |
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