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   April 08   March 08   February 08   January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 13th May 2008 Businesses warned of continuing economic slowdown A new report has suggested that small businesses in the UK will face difficulties in the coming months, but will not have to endure a fully-fledged recession. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) published its Quarterly Economic Forecast and suggested that businesses will have to survive a "marked slowdown in the pace of economic activity". According to the report, gross domestic product (GDP) will drop to 1.7 per cent in 2008 and 1.6 per cent in the following year. However, David Kern, the economic adviser to the BCC, added: "Recession is unlikely, and can certainly be avoided." He said that businesses will struggle as consumer spending slows on the back of house price slumps and the credit crunch. "The UK business sector has remained relatively resilient so far. But recent tax changes have undermined confidence," Mr Kern added. "Weaker domestic demand will exacerbate the adverse effects on UK businesses, particularly if banks tighten credit. "UK businesses remain concerned that the tax burden facing them is set to increase, through new 'stealth taxes' and through allowing local authorities to increase business taxes."     (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.