News Category
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SMEs get new commissioner to tackle late payments
Proposals for a new Small Business Commissioner to lead a culture change in how small businesses resolve disputes with larger companies have been set out by the Government. The new Commissioner will help SMEs handle disputes over late payment and other supply chain practices, offering advice, support, mediation and conciliation services to smaller firms. He or she will also be able to ...
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Renewable energy subsidies cut
The Government has announced measures to deal with an “over-allocation of renewable energy subsidies” saying it needs to better control over spending and ensure energy bill payers get the best possible deal: Measures announced today include: Removing the guaranteed level of subsidy for biomass conversions and co-firing projects for the duration of the Renewable Obligation, known as grandfathering. Launching a consultation on controlling subsidies for solar PV of 5MW and below ...
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UK economic recovery “increasingly domestic”
In its latest round-up of the UK economy, EY’s ITEM Club notes that the UK consumer continues to be the main driver of recovery - a buoyant labour market and rock-bottom inflation led to growth in real incomes of 4.5% in the year to the first quarter of 2015 and consumption has risen by 3.4%. However, the wider slowdown in the world economy and the pound’s strength against the euro are holding back demand for the UK’s ...
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New measures to protect Intellectual Property
Under new government proposals, UK designers will no longer have to include a design number on products to be confident they can recover damages for infringement. The proposed measures will enable designers to mark their products with a web link, instead of having to stamp the product or attach a label with the registered design numbers. The web link would notify third parties of the relevant registered design ...
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Free flood warnings for EE mobile customers
From today (14th July 2015) EE customers registered in flood risk areas in Devon and Cornwall will receive messages from the Environment Agency’s Floodline Warnings Direct service. The scheme is the first of its kind in England and follows a successful pilot in Staffordshire earlier this year. Later this week (17th July) EE customers in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire will be added to the scheme. Since 2010, the Floodline Warnings Direct service ...
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Suspect case of avian flu
A temporary control zone has been imposed at a poultry farm in Lancashire in light of a suspect case of avian flu - all birds at the premises are being culled. The restrictions mean that all poultry farms within the 10 kilometre temporary control zone around the affected premises are not allowed to move poultry and other birds. The decision to take precautionary action has been taken based on the clinical ...
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Sweeping changes to planning regulations
Many brownfield sites in England could receive automatic planning permission, the BBC has reported. In addition, major housing projects could be fast-tracked and rules on extensions to properties in London relaxed. Work on compiling an official register of brownfield sites got underway during the last parliament although the new measures form part of a programme aimed at increasing productivity across the UK whilst boosting the housing stock. The Government might also introduce powers that ...
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New aquaculture technology in the making
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) says it is working with governments and industry in the UK and Asia to develop new DNA-based diagnostic technology, linked to data reporting by smartphone, which can be used by local famers at the “pond side” to rapidly detect potentially devastating diseases such as White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). Cefas is leading field trials in Thailand where WSSV and other emergent problems such ...
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£100 million boost for small housebuilders
Small builders have been told they can benefit from a £100 million cash boost because of their important role in keeping the country building. Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis, has announced that The Housing Growth Partnership will act as a dedicated initiative that matches a £50 million investment from Lloyds Banking Group. The money will be used to help smaller builders invest in new projects and develop their businesses, allowing them to recruit and train workers ...
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Bank of England warning on buy-to-let
The Bank of England has warned that buy-to-let lending could pose a risk to UK financial stability, as investors compete to buy the same pool of properties. According to the Bank, looser lending standards in the sector could contribute to general house price increases and a broader increase in household indebtedness. And in a downswing, investors selling buy-to-let properties into an illiquid market could amplify falls in house prices - this could be a particular concern ...
