Rural Business Category
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UK business confidence falls
UK business confidence levels fell by 26 points to 6% in the past month, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. The survey was conducted in the week after the EU referendum - overall confidence fell to the lowest level for over four years but remained above the lows seen during the global financial crisis. Despite this general shift downwards there are some positive signs. Although confidence and ...
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CMA alert on resale price breaches
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has written an open letter to businesses alerting them that if suppliers restrict their retailers’ prices, they can be breaking the law. The letter follows two recent cases in which businesses were fined a combined total of over £3 million for engaging in resale price maintenance (RPM).
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UK’s first driverless car policy
Adrian Flux has launched the UK’s first personal driverless car policy. The insurer hopes the new policy will encourage debate and discussion around the issue of liability and autonomous technology - the policy is designed for consumers who may already have driverless features in their existing cars, such as self-parking, or who may be thinking of buying a new car with driverless or autopilot features. Gerry Bucke, general manager for Adrian Flux, ...
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UK PMI falls to lowest level since February 2013
April saw the seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fall below the critical no-change mark of 50.0 for the first time since March 2013. At 49.2, from a downwardly revised reading of 50.7 in March, Markit suggests that the headline index was dragged lower by lacklustre trends in production and new orders and declines in both employment and stocks of purchases. The weakening performance of the manufacturing economy was mainly ...
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Output growth worst in almost three years
Growth in output and employment was slightly higher in March compared to February, but the first quarter of 2016 as a whole was the worst in almost three years, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Regional Purchasing Managers’ Index. The business activity index for England – which tracks changes in the combined output of manufacturing and services – registered 53.7 in March, up from February’s 34-month low of 52.9 but rounded off the worst quarter of ...
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Bankruptcy applications move online
From 6th April 2016 people seeking to make themselves bankrupt will no longer need to apply to the court. Instead they will complete an online application on GOV.UK, which will be submitted to an Adjudicator employed by The Insolvency Service. Online applications will be less expensive and, for the first time, will be able to be paid for in instalments. Insolvency Service chief executive, Sarah Albon, comments: “Seeking help to deal with problem personal debt is the ...
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Support for mission-led businesses
The Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, has launched a review to increase the economic and social impact of mission-led businesses in the UK economy. Mission-led businesses use their business models to achieve both social and economic impact but do not register their mission in legal terms by becoming a charity or a community-interest company. According to the Government, growth is being driven by the millennial generation who are demanding an increased focus on social purpose in their work, how ...
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Somerset costal path opens
Some of Somerset’s most spectacular coastline is open to the public for the first time following the opening of 58 miles of coast path. The new stretch extends from Brean Down to Minehead and is the longest section to be added to the national route so far.
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Manufacturing slide shows signs of bottoming out
The first quarterly EEF Manufacturing Outlook survey this year shows signs that the sector’s slide into negative territory may be coming to an end, with improvements reported in output and orders. Output has edged up after hitting its weakest point in six years in the final quarter of 2015. It is still in negative territory but this may not be ...
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Coastal communities unveil plans for economic growth
Coastal communities across the country have unveiled plans to boost growth, jobs and prosperity. Over 11 million people live in coastal communities - from major cities to seaside villages - and the Government is supporting “local coastal community teams” to help revive towns and deliver their plans for future economic growth. Over ...
