The Conservative Party’s Small Business Task Force, chaired by Doug Richard, has attacked the government’s business support system and proposed a series of key recommendations.

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The renewable energy fund of Triodos Bank, Triodos Renewables, is to launch a new share issue in the hope of raising £8.5 million to invest directly in renewable energy projects and companies. Returns on the Triodos Renewables last share issue in 2005 averaged of 7% per annum.

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If it’s ‘grim up North’, it’s not hindering the success of its entrepreneurs who are out-performing their soft southern counterparts according to research from the Hull University Business School, Cranfield School of Management and the University of St Andrews.

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The number of companies entering into liquidation during the first quarter of 2008 in England and Wales rose by 2% on the previous quarter and by 4% on a year-on-year basis, according to the latest official statistics.

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Nearly half of the UK’s small business owners (48%) say they’ve won a piece of new business thanks to being connected while on the move, according to research released today by Research In Motion.

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HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is encouraging employers to file their PAYE year end returns by 19th May or run the risk of facing a penalty. Despite the ups and downs of various HMRC online filing systems, firms with under 50 employees are being urged to file over the internet.

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London and the South East have accounted for a national increase in shoppers during April 2008 according to Experian’s latest Retail Footfall Index.  The survey shows a 0.1% rise year-on-year and a 0.9% increase between March and April 2008.

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The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has claimed that independent shops had been let down by the Competition Commission (CC) which today released its report into UK grocery retailing.

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Whether you think a focus on the credit crunch is a self-fulfilling prophecy, necessary pragmatism or the chance for some opportunism, businesses always need advice in the face of financial adversity. The National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) is therefore putting on a range of events this week designed to help SMEs deal with a more hostile economic environment.

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Everywoman launches its annual search for the UK’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs on 1 May at the House of Commons. Now in their sixth year the awards have recognised some of the country’s most successful business women.

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BT today announced that its business broadband customers would now be able to turn their premises into wifi hotspots for visitors.

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A Derbyshire-based green tech company has won the innovation award at this year’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise.  Greenbank develops products which help coal fired power station reduce emissions, use less coal and limit the amount of residual ash going to landfill.

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Computer giant Dell has today announced it is to launch a UK version of its Small Business Excellence award which aims to recognise SMEs which can demonstrate how they’ve used innovative technology with exceptional results for their customers.

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With local elections looming on 1 May, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched a new manifesto aimed at pressing local authorities to champion the needs of small business.

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If you’re looking to finance your early stage business, then you might want to check out the latest in a series of free seminars put on by entrepreneur and associate director of British Angel Capital, Paul Grant.

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Quarter one of 2008 has seen the first increase in business failures for 12 months, according to the latest figures released by Experian. Some might see this as the first clear indication that the credit crunch is beginning to make life tough for small businesses.

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If you know someone who is supporting, inspiring or paving the way for women to start and grow their own business, then you’ve got a week to nominate them for this year’s Prowess Awards.

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April sees the implementation of the next stage of changes to the Companies Act affecting private companies.  There is an array of good advice available, but the key elements to bear in mind as set out by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) are as follows:

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With no end to the credit crunch in sight small businesses are beginning to feel the knock-on effects when it comes to funding.  It’s therefore timely that the Institute of Credit Management (ICM) and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) have launched a series of credit best practice tools for SMEs.

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According to the latest Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) research HR can make a significant contribution to cross-border company mergers, particularly on the issue of employee integration.

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