MAY TRADE NEWS Warehouse complex proposed for Peterborough Local authorities urged to help businesses improve recycling Business leaders lose faith in the Labour government Sole traders join forces on the Isle of Wight FPB calls for government to cancel fuel duty increase Consumers get better protection from rogue traders Health and beauty sector will grow despite economic slowdown Credit crunch hits wholesale and retail businesses' cash flows CBI reports manufacturers expect to increase prices Businesses attack new agency worker rules Credit crunch 'has not stopped owners selling their businesses' BRC stresses UK firms do not use exploitative suppliers OFT targets retailers who claim to be closing Carbon Trust urged to support small firms London business buck trend as sales increase Bank charges 'could harm small business Small businesses 'could be hurt by extended flexible working rules' BRC reports gloomy sales figures Businesses urged to embrace rail network Business pessimistic about economic future Fuel duty rises 'should be postponed to help businesses and consumers' Report calls for better government support of small businesses Businesses asked for bribes to win contracts Small businesses hit by staff absences Small businesses 'turn to older employees to plug skills gap' Businesses warned of continuing economic slowdown Tories pledge to support small suppliers and local businesses Continuity plans 'vital for small firms' Manufacturers force to pass rising costs on to customers Oxfordshire Retailers Flex Their Muscle FSB steps up campaign to protect local suppliers Small firms 'are turning to bridging loans to maintain cash flows' Government looks to help business by streamlining consumer laws Business disappointed by interest rate hold Shop prices 'only rising slowly' Postal competition 'has not helped small wholesalers' Small firms are turning to bridging loans to maintain cash flows South-west's roads 'need to be improved to help wholesalers' Retailers see April increase in shoppers Government urged to involve small firms in tax forum Good online retail practice satisfies customers Small retailers urged to embrace gift card schemes Commission inquiry not doing enough for small retailers Hornby buys model car maker Corgi Trade News Archive May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 29th May 2008 Business leaders lose faith in the Labour government A new report has suggested that small business owners and entrepreneurs have lost faith in the current government and are placing their hope in the Conservatives. Thinktank the Tenon Forum found that 62 per cent of small business owners believe the Conservative Party best understands the pressures entrepreneurs face - up from 34 per cent who said the same in 2006. Only six per cent of business owners think the current Labour government understands their needs. In particular, 68 per cent of small businesses said Alistair Darling's last Budget had had a negative impact on their operations, which had contributed to their loss of faith in Labour. Business leaders are also upset that the government seems to be pushing ahead with plans to ban income-shifting from 2009. Nearly half (43 per cent) of people running family businesses said the move would will increase their tax bills. Andrew Jupp, Tenon's national head of tax, commented: "Entrepreneurs from both small and medium sized businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, so it's essential that the government listens to their concerns and provides them with the support they need, particularly at such a difficult time. "Entrepreneurs are sending a clear message that the chancellor needs to step up and prove that he takes them seriously by cutting red tape and developing policies which help, rather than stifle, UK enterprise."     (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.