The Growing Pains of Shared Parental Leave

Despite only around 8 per cent of parents expected to utilise the new Shared Parental Leave entitlement, the major reforms mean it is crucial that businesses understand the legislation and its implications, whatever the volume. A revolutionary reform? In a bid to offer families greater flexibility, parents

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Exit Here! Five Steps to Sell Your Business

You’ve spent years working passionately and relentlessly to build a business empire and it’s inevitable that at some stage you’ll consider an exit. Whether its retirement, moving onto pastures new or handing over the company to a larger organisation, here are our five steps to sale success.

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Autumn Statement 2014

Yesterday’s Autumn Statement was the Chancellor’s opportunity to launch the Government’s General Election campaign. He has introduced a number of measures that will please many people, although they are balanced with a fall in public spending that will continue to provoke debate around the UK for some

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Overtime Normal for Most Managers

More than 90% of managers work more than their contracted weekly hours, according to research from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). Nearly two thirds (65%) of respondents to the ILM’s survey reported pressure to work overtime, while 44% said they were under pressure from their

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A Quarter Want to Be Entrepreneurs

More than a quarter of employees dream of running a business, according to a survey from Lloyds Bank Insurance. The report reveals that 26% of workers have entrepreneurial aspirations but the fear of taking a risk is preventing a third from starting a business. Nearly half (48%)

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Increase to R&D Tax Credits for SMEs

Budget 2014 introduced new measures affecting loss making SMEs undertaking research and development activities. Group Tax Director Gill Molloy explains how businesses could now recover up to 32.6% of costs. Loss making SMEs with no corporation tax liability could be eligible for a cash payment, known as a “Research & Development (R&D)

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Free Retirement Guidance Should Be Independent

There is widespread support for government proposals to provide free retirement guidance but more than half of over-55s think it should come from an independent, consumer body. Chancellor George Osborne announced plans at the 2014 Budget to guarantee all retirees with a defined contribution pension “free, impartial

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Small Firms Rely on Planning, Not Luck

Luck does not play a big role in a firm’s success according to nearly three quarters of small business owners, research by software provider Sage has found. In a survey of more than 1,000 UK small business owners, just 28% of respondents felt that luck had a

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Auto Enrolment Increases Pension Membership

The percentage of private sector employees in a workplace pension scheme increased from 26% in 2011 to 35% in 2013 according to research commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Employers Pension Provision survey shows that at the time of the research, 2% of private

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Company Cars Advisory Fuel Rates Update

HMRC has announced changes to the advisory fuel rates for company cars. The rates are to be used where employers either reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars, or require employees to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel. The latest rates apply to

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