Lending Down But More Loans Being Approved
Although lending to businesses of all sizes fell in the three months to February, year-on-year, the £500m decline represented a marked improvement on the annualised £3.3bn drop in the previous quarter.
Although lending to businesses of all sizes fell in the three months to February, year-on-year, the £500m decline represented a marked improvement on the annualised £3.3bn drop in the previous quarter.
The rise in employment in the UK has been partially spurred by a marked increase in the number of freelancers, as well as an increase in the number of older workers, while the number of women in jobs has reached a record high.
The UK’s trade deficit narrowed more than expected in February, helped by a fall in imports, mainly in aircraft and aircraft parts, which fell 46.3 per cent, contributing to three-quarters of the total fall in imports in the month.
New research shows that the number of high-growth firms in the UK increased by 30 per cent last year, with the rise in such operations being spread out across the country, not just centred on London and the South East.
Politicians from both the Conservative and Labour parties are laying out plans for what they will do for small businesses, should they get into power at the next general election, at the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) 40th anniversary conference being held in Manchester at the moment.
Proposed new powers allowing HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to raid bank accounts to collect unpaid tax could be damaging and could lead to officials becoming “ a law unto themselves”.
New research shows that the rate of shop closures slowed last year compared with 2012. Year-on-year, the number of net store closures fell by nearly 80 per cent, from 1,779 in 2012 to 371 in 2013.
Business leaders have broadly welcomed yesterday’s Budget as one that will boost investment, exports and regional development and skills, with help for manufacturers high on the Chancellor’s agenda.
Figures out today (March 19) from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the unemployment rate held steady at 7.2 per cent in the three months to January.
Manufacturers in the UK are optimistic about the future, reporting higher output and orders during the first two months of the year than in the final quarter of last year.
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