In Focus

The Chancellor has today launched the National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS), helping smaller businesses across the UK (with an annual group turnover of up to £50 million) access cheaper finance.

The private sector and the open data community are to have greater influence over the release of public sector data to encourage the creation of high-value businesses and promote economic growth, the Government announced today.

The Low Pay Commission today welcomed the Government's acceptance of its recommendations on rates for the National Minimum Wage (NMW) from October 2012.

The Government has today accepted the independent Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations for this year’s National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates.

The NHS could save millions and provide better care by involving more Allied Health Professionals such as podiatrists in patient care.

Barry Howard Bullen and his son Jonathan Bullen, directors of Managed Online Solutions (MOS) Ltd in Lancashire, have been disqualified for 11 years and four years respectively, following an investigation by The Insolvency Service’s Company Investigation Team, in Manchester.

Jonathan Cregan, the director of a scrap metal dealing company in Cumbria, has been disqualified from being a director for nine years for submitting false VAT returns, following an investigation by the Public Interest Unit (North), part of The Insolvency Service.

An innovative scheme to help reduce disruption caused by road works on London's busiest roads was given the go-ahead today by Transport Secretary Justine Greening.

Proposals to widen business access to new and alternative sources of finance have been published today by the independent Taskforce on non-bank lending.

The following statistics were released today by the Department of Health:

Paul William Sharpley, a director of Property 360 Limited in Suffolk ,has been disqualified from acting as a company director or from managing or in any way controlling a company for seven years after an investigation by The Insolvency Service’s Company Investigations Team in Manchester.

New evidence has emerged which shows that around 7,000 more women in the UK may be victims of the PiP scandal caused by a French breast implant manufacturer, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced today. These women will be eligible for the same NHS care as announced in January.

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Good afternoon. I’m grateful for this opportunity to speak to the British Chambers of Commerce and its many members. I value the strong and honest relationship that we enjoy: one fully maintained with John Longworth as your CEO.

Intellectual property Minister, Baroness Wilcox, today challenged UK firms to make more use of the ‘green channel’ that helps speed up the patent process for innovative eco-friendly ideas and gives a real boost to their businesses.

A butcher who stole £3.3m from the taxman to lead a luxury lifestyle after his business collapsed has been jailed today following an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Proposals to examine the current dismissal process have been announced by the Government today with the publication of a Call for Evidence. Ministers are to seek the views of employers and employees, and gather evidence from interested parties, on whether current dismissal procedures are too onerous, too complex and whether or not there is a lack of understanding in their application.

The Department for Transport has today published the following Transport Statistics:

A single Competition and Markets Authority, which will simplify and strengthen the competition landscape, was announced today by Business Minister Norman Lamb.

Main Points – January 2012

Main Points

Main Points

- New Atlas of Variation for Children’s Services shines a light on differences in care -

The differences in health services for children across the country have been laid bare for the first time today.

Business Minister Mark Prisk has today (14 March) named Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) as a flagship trailblazer for retail.

Seventy four charities including the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Epilepsy Society and the Spinal Injuries Association will get a share of more than £6.8 million to test and develop innovative approaches to improve health and wellbeing, Care Services Minister Paul Burstow announced today.

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