March 16, 2010
Filed under: Business Advice, General — admin @ 12:30 pm
How green is yoru office? This subject is being put under the spotlight by green office design experts Morgan Lovell in a series of podcasts – which reveal that 45 per cent of UK carbon emissions are coming from our offices, as well as homes and public buildings.
The podcast is part of a series being produced bi-monthly by Morgan Lovell, where listeners can hear about the latest trends, technology and people in the world of sustainable office design.
This first episode includes an interview with Paul King of the UK Green Building Council, who gives some amazing facts about the carbon emissions of buildings. A tour of a sustainable workplace and insight from the public at large about the environmental credentials of their workplace are also featured.
To download the latest episode, log on to www.morganlovell.com/podcasts.
March 12, 2010
Filed under: General — admin @ 3:48 pm
Did you know that currently VAT is exempt on materials to build new properties in the UK – but to repair anything the full 17.5% rate applies?
This flies in the face of government targets to reduce the carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 and actively encourages more building to be built.
What can be done about it?
There is a petition on the 10 Downing street website that you can sign today – petitioning to lower the VAT for repair and maintenance materials to 5% from the 17.5% rate.
What else would a reduction to 5% provide?
A reduction of VAT to 5% in this area would not only assist individuals and businesses with maintaining and improving their existing properties but, by increasing the amount of building and maintenance repair work undertaken, this move will also be keeping the nation’s highly skilled employees in work during these difficult times. These trades people are a valuable asset to the industry as a whole and this is a vital opportunity to maintain and stimulate employment levels in the wider market.
If you have two minutes could you visit the petition page (http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/repairingbritain/) and fill in your details, I am trying to get 10′000 votes by April the 14th so your vote will really help!
There is also a Facebook fanpage which you can join to show your support of this worthwhile petition. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rok-Repairing-Scotland/353891438971
March 3, 2010
Filed under: General — admin @ 4:00 pm
Red Magazine’s 20 Under 30 Hot List, has revealed the 20 most influential young women that are shaping our futures. The list features a number of leaders in business including Kirsty MacCarther (30), a director at Heartwood Wealth management and ‘the top woman in the boardroom’ and Jessica Huie (29) the founder of Colour Blind Cards and the ‘Business Brain’ according to Red’s shortlist.
The list showcases the most talented professional women under thirty in Britain today and includes Chloe Smith (27), the youngest MP in the House of Commons and the Tories’ secret weapon’, Gemma Tuley (27), Gordon Ramsay’s protégé, Kirsty MacCarthur (30), director of Heartwood Wealth Management and the top new woman in the board room, Justice Williams (28) social entrepreneur and MBE, Emeli Sande (23), the big music star for the 2010’s and actress Sheridan Smith (28), the star of West End.
Filed under: General — admin @ 9:12 am
Despite the UK taxpayer bailing out most of the UK banks, borrowing money through a loan or credit card has never been so expensive with rates averaging 36 times the base rate. In such a climate, it’s hard to see how calls for ‘smarter lending’ by Government and debt charities can be met by lenders. But one credit card provider has recently released a card that offers users a lifetime low rate for their balance transfers, the lender is MBNA and the card, unsurprisingly,
is called the ‘Rate for Life’ card.
The credit card, which is only available online, is a standout offering in a marketplace full of limited 0% offers and high standard APR’s and comes with a 5.9% interest rate and 1.5% balance transfer fee. However, Chief Marketing Officer at MBNA, Greg Reed insists that it was their customers that encouraged them to create the card: “We have listened hard to what customers want and I believe that this simplified, easy-to-understand, low rate card will have enormous appeal to customers.”
No doubt MBNA will be targeting the portion of the 30 million strong UK credit card holders that are tired of switching provider every 12 months and constantly worry whether their credit rating will be good enough to get a new 0% deal. But the ‘Rate for Life card’ will have to compete with some strong opposition and fellow card providers have realized that it’s not necessarily the rates that are the main deciding factor.
More and more affinity cards are emerging in the market place, such as MBNA’s own football credit cards and charity cards, that use the reputation and emotion connections of well-known brands encourage those seeking a new card to sign up. Whether the ‘Rate for Life’ card can persuade card-holders to transfer their balance to a longer lasting deal is unknown, but with more people than ever before looking for low interest rates to manage debt rather than make purchases, a lifetime 5.9% could be an attractive proposition.
February 12, 2010
Filed under: General — Alan @ 7:01 am
The Conservative Party outlined plans for a new fairer taxation system this week if they are the winner of the 2010 general election. In response, the Federation of Small Business (FSB) is asking all of the political parties that are main contenders to outline their plans for SMEs before the General Election occur.
The FSB will hold its annual conference in March of this year in Aberdeen with speakers lined up from all of the prime political parties. On the list to speak will be Leader of the Liberal Democrats and current Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, Tory Leader David Cameron, and Nick Clegg. Shortly after the event the General Election will take place which should make it intriguing to see what the party leaders have in mind to say.
National Chairman of the FSB, John Wright, stated that the annual conference is designed to give SMEs the information that they will need to make an educated decision when they head to the polls so that they make a choice that will help them survive the year.
Wright continued to state that the lifeblood of the economy is small businesses and the FSB is making a strong effort so that the country can continue to rebound after the recession.
January 14, 2010
Filed under: General — admin @ 10:09 am
Businessman and Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne will be attempting to conquer Vertical Rush on February 25th and is urging other people to join him.
The challenge, which is the original and biggest running event of its kind in the UK, sees participants race up the 42 floors of London’s Tower 42, which is the tallest building in the City. It is all in aid of raising money for the housing charity Shelter.
This is the second year that Duncan is tackling the 920 steps and he will be hoping to do this in something close to the average time of 8 minutes 4 seconds. He said Vertical Rush is a “challenging event”, but if he can do it, then anyone can give it a go.
“I think Shelter’s cause is incredibly important, finding a safe and secure home for everyone and I hope this year I will help them smash their fundraising target of £250,000,” the entrepreneur added.
Other famous faces that participated in Vertical Rush 2009 included Gladiator Tempest and Blue Peter’s Andrew Akinwolere.
For more information about the event, click here.
