Chartered Secretary News

More action on flexible working
The Government is promising more support for businesses as well as less red tape in a new raft of proposals on flexible working.

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Competition Commission recommends airport sale
The UK competition regulator may compel BAA to sell three of its seven UK airports.

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More work and less money for non-execs
Non-executive directors (NEDs) are committing an extra six days every year to companies while average pay increases are decreasing, according to a new survey.

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Downturn hits manufacturers and retailers
Nearly nine out of ten small retailers and manufacturing firms have seen their levels of business drop as a result of the credit crunch, according to a new survey.

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Companies House telephone number to change
The main contact number for Companies House is set to change later this year

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Private equity IPOs outperform rest of market
Companies that are backed by private equity firms outperform other public companies by around 20 per cent in their first year after listing on the London Stock Exchange.

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Time to give SMEs a better deal on public contracts
Small businesses should be guaranteed a third of all public sector contracts, according to the representative body for SMEs in the UK.

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Cash boost for charities
57 voluntary and community organisations will share in a £6 million pot designed to help people get the correct benefits and tax credits.

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Keep it simple on employment red tape, urges new campaign
Businesses are spending unnecessary time and money complying with employment law, according to a new campaign launched this week by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Economic Reform (BERR).

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ASB acts on financial instruments
The Accounting Standards Board (ASB) has published an amendment to its standard on the presentation of certain financial instruments.

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Survey tells bad news for top 100 pensions
Pension schemes at the FTSE 100 companies have swung back into the red, according to the latest annual survey from actuaries Lane Clark & Peacock.

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New body to offer fresh hope to consumers
This week saw the launch of a new body for consumers, in what ministers hope will be a boost for consumer rights in the UK.

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Come up to standard on whistleblowing, urges BSI
Enlightened organisations implement whistleblowing procedures because they recognise it makes good business sense, according to the body responsible for developing and promoting national standards this week.

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Consult employees on ethical issues, argues IBE
Surveying staff on ethical standards in the workplace is key to understanding the effectiveness of ethics programmes, according to a new report.

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Health and safety reforms mooted
Moves to offer better advice on health and safety and a simplified inspection process could see small businesses save £300 million every year, according to a new report.

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New vulnerable worker hotline launches
A helpline for vulnerable workers to report employer abuses has been launched as part of a £6 million Government initiative to crack down on rogue employers.

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