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More than 102,000 new businesses were set up in theUKlast year, according to the latest government figures. The total number of businesses now stands at a record level of 4.9million. Business Secretary Vince Cable said the figures “are a timely reminder of the number of people willing to try their hand at business”. The government
Employers need to show they have been fair and that they have investigated all the issues thoroughly when dismissing an employee for alleged misconduct. Failure to do so could result in the dismissal being ruled unfair, as illustrated in a recent case involving a bookmakers and one of its cashiers. The cashier was accused of
An electricity supplier which undercharged a company over several years has been told it cannot now recover the £50,000 outstanding on the account. A court has also ordered that it must pay the company compensation for wrongfully disconnecting its power supply. The case involved EON energy and a company that operated an antiques market. The
The ‘Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee’ scheme has been introduced three months early to boost the housing market and enable more people to own their own home. The scheme applies to both new build and older properties and is available to both existing homeowners and first-time buyers. It was due to be introduced in January
When setting up a new company, it’s important for directors to ensure that all the legal requirements are fully met and that everyone involved understands their rights and responsibilities. Failure to do so can soon lead to confusion and legal action, as illustrated in a recent case before the High Court. It involved two men
The Government is making an extra £69m available for loans to start-up businesses as a way of creating jobs and boosting the economy, Ministers say more than 30,000 new businesses have been created over the last two years with support from government schemes including Start-Up Loans and the New Enterprise Allowance. It’s hoped the new
A publishing company has been granted an injunction preventing former employees from using its confidential information including its customer databases. The issue arose when three of the company’s senior employees resigned to set up a rival business. The company suspected that the employees had set up their new enterprise before resigning. It then alleged that
An action group has failed in its legal bid to stop what it described as a “major development” of 14 houses in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The case involved a reserve housing site. Before applying for planning permission, the developers asked the local authority to adopt a screening opinion as to whether the
The new National Minimum Wage (NMW) came into effect on 1 October. These are the main changes: The adult rate increases by 12p to £6.31 an hour The rate for 18-20 year olds increases by 5p to £5.03 an hour The rate for 16-17 year olds increases by 4p to £3.72 an hour The apprentice
A pub manager has been awarded compensation for the depression she suffered after being unfairly dismissed. The case involved a husband and wife who were employed together to manage a large pub. They lived on the premises with their four children. They worked there for just over a year when the employer became dissatisfied with