Rural Business Category
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CMM and Barclays join forces for museum expansion
Barclays' funding boost for Notts museum The Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, has obtained funding from Barclays to help the museum achieve an ambitious redevelopment and expansion project. The funding deal was overseen by Graham Allen of Corporate Money Matters, an independent corporate consultancy and financial specialist, who worked closely with the museum to find a suitable funding partner and broker the deal. Dennis Jones, Assistant Treasurer at the Framework Knitters Museum, explained: ‘We’re very proud ...
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Boost for UK autonomous vehicle technology
Climate Change and Industry Minister, Claire Perry, has launched MERIDIAN, a new brand for the development of connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technology in the UK funded jointly by the Government’s CAV investment programme and by industry. The aim is to create a cluster of excellence in driverless car testing, along the M40 corridor between Coventry and London, to accelerate the development of the technology, grow intellectual capital and attract overseas investment in the UK. Claire Perry ...
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Household pessimism on Brexit impact widespread
New data from IHS Markit suggests that British households have become increasingly pessimistic regarding the long-term economic prospects following last year’s vote to leave the EU. The March poll, conducted by Ipsos MORI, showed the proportion of people expecting the UK economy to fare better over the next ten years falling to 29%, down from 39% last July. The proportion seeing ...
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Ofcom – automatic compensation for landline and broadband customers
Landline and broadband customers who suffer slow repairs, or missed deadlines or appointments, should receive money back from their provider, without having to ask. This is the proposal put forward by Ofcom which wants providers to pay automatic compensation – either a cash payment, or a credit on a bill – when, for example: ·
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Small business commissioner to address late payment
The Government is about to appoint the UK’s first Small Business Commissioner in a move aimed at supporting small businesses in payment disputes with their larger customers. The role includes giving general advice and information, handling complaints about payment issues and directing small businesses to existing dispute resolution services.
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Fall in sterling double-edged sword
The recent fall in the value of sterling is squeezing domestic sales margins, and increasing the cost base of UK businesses, according to the results of the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) latest International Trade Survey. The results, which are based on the responses of nearly 1,500 businesses, indicate that the recent devaluation of pound is having a negative ...
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Call for urgent infrastructure investment
British business leaders fear that UK infrastructure is lagging behind the rest of the world and feel less confident about global economic conditions over the next 12 months, according to new research from Lloyds Bank. The study, which canvassed the views of boardroom-level executives from leading UK companies and global corporates, shows that two thirds of respondents believe that UK national ...
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Manufacturing makes strong start to 2017
The UK manufacturing sector made a strong start to 2017 with output rising at the fastest rate since May 2014. New order intakes expanded at a robust pace and, according to the Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), price pressures intensified - input cost inflation surged to a survey record high and output charges also increased at one of the steepest rates in the series' history.
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UK economy set for a “hard rebalancing”
The recent slump in sterling should prompt a significant readjustment of the UK economy away from consumer spending towards exports, according to the EY ITEM Club winter forecast. But while economic growth will be better balanced it is also likely to be slower. The respected economic forecaster says that the impact of sterling in increasing import costs will see inflation ...
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Start-up number suffer five year fall
Business start-up numbers have fallen significantly in the last five years, according to Lloyds Bank analysis - 19% fewer new businesses were launched in the UK in November 2016 compared to November 2011. Regionally, the data from BankSearch shows that Wales has seen the largest decline in start-ups, falling by over a quarter (26%).
