Business News Articles

Factory gate inflation soars
Factory gate prices have hit their highest level in 16 years due to rocketing petrol and food costs, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics. The organisation revealed that annual output price inflation hit 4.5% in November, up from 3.8% the previous month, as a result of high costs of raw materials. ... more

Bank cuts rates to 5.5%
The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 5.5% in a bid to boost the UK's fragile economy. Amid fears that the global credit crunch could spread to the economy as a whole, and concerns over the housing market, the Bank has reduced the rate of borrowing for the first time since August 2005... more

New money laundering rules
Changes to the money laundering regulations will affect certain businesses from 15th December, HMRC has warned. The new rules will affect trust or company service providers, which include recruitment agencies; company formation agents; suppliers of accommodation or correspondence addresses; telephone answering service providers; and people acting as professional trustees. ... more

Sales up but tough times ahead
High street sales rose slightly in November but the long-term view for the economy remains less positive. Figures revealed by the British Retail Consortium showed that like-for-like sales increased by 1.2% on October's figure, which was an 18-month low. ... more

Retailers warned on Xmas theft
UK retailers should be extra-vigilant against the threat of theft in the build-up to Christmas, according to a report by Checkpoint Retail... more

Staff more wasteful in the office
British workers are less green when it comes to saving energy and water at work than they are in their own homes, according to a study by Enviro-Fresh... more

UK property prices slipping
UK property prices saw the biggest fall in 12 years during November, according to data released by Nationwide. The building society's figures suggest the average cost of a home fell by 0.8% from a month earlier, the first decrease since February 2006, while the Bank of England also said the number of mortgage approvals had slipped to a near three-year low. ... more

Internet sales £200m a day
Consumers will spend £200m a day on the internet in the lead up to Christmas, according to forecasts by Deloitte. The research predicts the total Christmas spend will hit £4bn – some 50% higher than last year – and suggests that more business will move online next year. ... more

Mergers fail to achieve aims
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Google search for small firms
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