companies house made easy

self-assessment deadline extended

Sole traders, entrepreneurs and other individuals who are required to fill out self-assessment tax returns will not receive a late filing penalty if they make their submission on the 1st or 2nd of February.

schools must develop entrepreneurs

The Forum for Private Business has called for schools to play a leading role in encouraging entrepreneurship amongst young people.

google targets welsh SMEs

Search engine giant Google has announced a 12 month campaign to get businesses in Wales to start using the web.

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Lending to small businesses has fallen from a monthly average of £991 million in 2008, to £566 for 2010 so far, according to figures released by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA).

Banking groups maintain that the lower levels of credit are due to fewer SMEs wanting access to finance, but research suggests that entrepreneurs are seeking, but not receiving the credit they need.

“The banks claim that there is no demand. That is not right,” stated Business Secretary, Vince Cable.

"If the bar is set too high, of course no one is willing to jump."

Lloyds Banking Group and RB, which have both come under pressure from the Business Secretary as recipients of government money from the bailout, both say that they are improving lending for small companies, and are absolutely committed to making credit available to viable businesses".

In a survey by Investec and the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO), 57% of business owners were planning on getting access to finance at some point this year, but only 6% were expecting it to be a simple process.

There continues to be a dispute over whether the vast reduction in money available for SMEs is due to decreased demand, or decreased supply.