fpb.org - Latest news articles from the FPB http://www.fpb.org Latest news articles from the FPB en-gb info@fpb.org info@fpb.org http://feedvalidator.org/docs/ Barnstaple business welcomes MP for work experience placement A Barnstaple-based haulier welcomed the town's Liberal Democrat MP last week for a brief stint of work experience.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2531 Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2531 Hampshire businessman reveals late payment shock with bill outstanding after three years A Gosport businessman who appeared on BBC radio this week to discuss the problems late payment causes for small firms has revealed he is still waiting for an invoice to be settled three years after completing the job.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2530 Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2530 Energy costs and broadband telecommunications top list of small firms' infrastructure issues ]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2529 Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2529 Forum responds to Queen's Speech The Forum of Private Business has responded to today's Queen's Speech by urging the Government to forge ahead as a matter of urgency in key areas affecting small business, particularly in relation to supermarket suppliers.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2528 Wed, 9 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2528 Banks must help to drive the export market for SMEs, says Forum The Forum of Private Business has welcomed new research suggesting the number of UK firms exporting goods and services has increased, but is urging banks to help keep the momentum going by relaxing lending criteria for firms looking at overseas trade operations.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2527 Tue, 8 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2527 Forum urges Government to think of SMEs before next week's Queen's Speech Ahead of the Queen's Speech next week, the Forum of Private Business has urged the Government to ensure the Groceries Code Adjudicator has the necessary power to fine supermarkets who unfairly abuse their suppliers, and to ensure new laws on parental leave don't unfairly harm small business, particularly with economic recovery pinned on the sector.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2526 Fri, 4 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2526 Leading UK bathroom supplier enters Forum's late payment Hall of Shame after doubling payment times A leading UK producer of bathroom products has been entered in to the Forum of Private Business's late payment 'Hall of Shame' after it increased its payment times from 30 to 60 days.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2525 Thu, 3 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2525 Group buying can empower small business owners to beat spiralling costs http://www.fpb.org/news/2524 Wed, 2 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2524 Government should use public sector procurement to tackle late payment, says Forum With the Government  this week updating a list of public sector procurement projects worth £70 billion, the Forum of Private Business has said the ensuing tendering process should take into consideration the length of time contractors take to pay their suppliers.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2523 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2523 Forum calls for government intervention to help prompt business payment http://www.fpb.org/news/2522 Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2522 Forum of Private Business campaign urges entrepreneurs to pass on the secrets of their success ]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2521 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2521 Scottish businesses welcome zero waste recycling initiative - as long as it does not cost the earth http://www.fpb.org/news/2520 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2520 Late night levy will damage business and further degrade the high street, Forum warns The introduction of a 'late night levy' on businesses catering for the UK's evening economy will hit the already struggling pub sector and further harm the profitability of high streets.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2519 Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2519 Forum criticises HMRC's IT system shutdown at end of tax year The Forum of Private Business has criticised HMRC when, with just days to go before the end of the current tax year, the department announced plans to shut down its entire IT systems for nearly a week.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2518 Thu, 5 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2518 Review of intellectual property must protect small businesses stung by licensing bodies, says Forum of Private Business http://www.fpb.org/news/2517 Wed, 4 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2517 Forum welcomes Portas Review, but says more work needs to be done in key areas ]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2516 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2516 'Nottingham's folly': Forum slams council over parking tax ]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2515 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2515 Forums criticises Ofcom's decision to give Royal Mail free rein on stamp prices UK businesses should brace themselves for significant increases in the cost of postal services after today's announcement by Ofcom, which paves the way for Royal Mail bosses to set stamp prices themselves.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2514 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2514 Budget 2012: Forum of Private Business response ]]> http://www.fpb.org/news/2513 Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2513 Tackle lending and late payment in Budget to mend small business cash flow crisis, says Forum of Private Business http://www.fpb.org/news/2512 Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT NEWS2512