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 19th May 2008 Businesses pessimistic about economic future New research has suggested that British businesses are not confident about the state of the economy. Data gathered by Lloyds TSB showed that British business confidence reached its lowest level since its monthly survey began in January 2002. Just 19 per cent of businesses said they felt optimistic about the future of the economy, while 70 per cent said they expected conditions to get tougher. Despite this, many businesses revealed they believe their operations can survive the tightening economic situation. In particular, firms working in the industrial and distribution sectors said they expected to come through the slowdown unscathed. Lloyds TSB economist Trevor Williams commented: "With inflation on the rise, it's highly unlikely the Bank of England (BoE) will be cutting interest rates any time soon - and that may be weighing heavily on some businesses. "While there are some firms who remain upbeat about the year ahead, that's mainly because they are expecting higher exports, as a result of a weakening pound and good overseas order books." The figures come on the back of data released by the British Retail Consortium last week that showed that sales values fell 1.5 per cent last month.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.