Economy

It was announced in this year’s Budget that people who bought a with-profits annuity from the Equitable Life Assurance Society before September 1992 – and… Read More »Equitable life payments brought forward

More than half of the UK’s small businesses now operate from home, according to research from Direct Line for Business (DL4B). The 2.5 million home… Read More »Number of home businesses hits 2.5m

This guide looks at Universal Credit, a new benefit that will replace six existing benefits with a simpler, single monthly payment. Introduction Plans for the… Read More »Universal Credit

Looking back Although economic recovery in the UK remains slower than anyone would like, the past six months have shown encouraging signs of an economy… Read More »Economic Update: August 2013

Net lending by banks under the Government’s Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) fell by £300 million in the first quarter of the year, data from… Read More »SME borrowing and FLS bank lending falls

One in five small businesses feels optimistic about growth and expansion following the Government’s announcement to introduce a £2,000 allowance towards employer National Insurance contributions… Read More »Businesses optimistic about recruitment and growth

Interest-only mortgages were popular during the housing booms of the early nineties and ‘noughties’. Typically, borrowers make monthly repayments that cover only the interest on… Read More »Repayment warning for interest-only borrowers

The Government’s plans for the new parliamentary session were outlined last month in the Queen’s Speech. Proposals of interest to businesses included those around national… Read More »Queen’s Speech announcements for business

Business secretary Vince Cable first announced details of a state-backed business bank in September last year. Since then, business groups have been eager to see… Read More »First phase of business bank begins

New business rules and regulations come into effect on ‘common commencement dates’ in April and October each year. The new tax year also begins on… Read More »Regulation and rate changes: April 2013