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 14th May 2008 Businesses 'still asked for bribes to win new contracts' New research has suggested that small firms in the UK are still being asked for bribes to secure or retain business. Ernst & Young's latest tenth global fraud survey found that 13 per cent of all businesses had experienced at least one incident of bribery or corruption in the last two years. The figure compared to six per cent in both Germany and France. What's more, 11 per cent of businesses said they had been asked to pay a bribe to retain or win business in the last two years. Around one in sixteen (six per cent) said they thought they had lost out on business to a competitor that had paid a bribe. John Smart, UK head of fraud investigation and dispute services at Ernst & Young, said that around half the companies it questioned were are increasing training on the subject to combat the problem. However, he added: "Despite the best efforts of some governments, non-governmental organisations and law enforcement agencies, the risk of bribery and corruption remains prevalent. "Awareness, education and control are the most effective methods for dealing with corrupt financial practices. Promoting ethical behaviour in your organisation - making a difference - is not just about staying on the right side of the law. It's good business."   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.