Signs of confidence returning to UK’s 5.5m SME’s

<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ??> There are signs of confidence returning to the UK’s 5.5m small and medium-sized businesses and the lending market they rely on according to iwoca. The new research, carried out with over one hundred SME finance brokers who collectively submitted over 2,500 SME finance applications in March, reveals that worries about a recession […]

Food inflation cooled in May as lower energy costs filter down to consumers

<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ??> Food inflation cooled slightly in May as lower energy and commodity costs finally showed signs of filtering down to consumers. According to data by the British Retail Consortium, grocery inflation fell to 15.4 per cent in during the month, down from 15.7 per cent in April – but remained the second highest […]

House prices continue to fall as buy-to-let landlords sell up

<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ??> House prices are continuing to fall, according to a closely watched index, but transactions are ahead of the long-term average due to landlords selling up. According to estate agent Zoopla, landlord properties accounted for 11 per cent of sales in the last month, as high mortgage rates and energy bills forced many […]

Big business wants louder voice at COP28 as 1.5C confidence falls, says survey

<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ??> Global businesses want a louder voice at the upcoming UN climate change talks, according to a new survey across 14 nations. The polling revealed that large businesses are increasingly losing confidence in the world’s ability to limit global warming below the Paris Agreement’s 1.5C threshold proposals. The researchers interviewed the top 100 […]

Over three quarters of UK businesses expect performance to be same or better in the next year

<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ??> Resilient UK SMEs are weathering the storm caused by the cost-of-living crisis and the economic fallout from Covid-19 and Brexit, according to new research. A survey of small business owners from across the UK, conducted by FreeAgent, has revealed the scale of the challenge facing the SME sector – with many business […]

80% of Irish businesses believe career progression opportunities are limited for hybrid workers

<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ??> Workers across Ireland are missing out on career progression opportunities, promotions and pay rises by working from home, but the majority remain reluctant to return to the office. That is according to a new report by global workplace creation experts Unispace. Returning for Good, a Unispace Global Workplace Insights report – which […]

Only a third of hospitality firms optimistic about their future

<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ??> Only a third of UK hospitality businesses are optimistic about their future due to high energy prices and rising food costs, industry bosses have warned. Pubs, bars and restaurants say their energy prices have surged an average of 81% over the past year, on top of rising food and wage bills. Wholesale […]

House sales in UK at highest point this year, says Zoopla

<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ??> More prospective house sellers are returning to the UK’s property market, pushing agreed home sales to their highest point of the year in May, according to Zoopla, although it warned that the rebound in activity could be knocked by rising mortgage rates. House prices have fallen by 1.3% nationally over the past […]

Mars bar wrappers changed to paper from plastic in UK trial

<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ??> Consumers buying Mars bars at Tesco in the coming days will notice a change: the chocolate bar’s usual plastic wrapper has been swapped for a more environmentally friendly paper one. The confectionery maker Mars Incorporated is trialling recyclable paper packaging for a limited time, with the bars available at 500 Tesco stores […]

Top 6 Strategies to Improve Your Business and Empower Your Staff

<?xml encoding=”utf-8″ ??> Running a successful business goes beyond simply managing operations and generating profits. It requires a dynamic approach that empowers your staff to excel and fosters a positive work culture. By implementing strategies that prioritize growth and development, you can improve your business and create a thriving environment for your team. In this […]