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 20th May 2008 Carbon Trust urged to support small firms Small firms in the UK need better support from the Carbon Trust if they are to be encouraged to consider environmental improvements. The UK parliament's Committee of Public Accounts (Pac) reported that the Carbon Trust needed to do more to convince small businesses that it makes commercial sense to switch over to environmental practices. At the moment, the Carbon Trust provides advice to firms wanting to cut their emissions. However, Pac chairman Edward Leigh said that its operations were not genuinely helping small businesses reduce their carbon footprint. "A lot of businesses, especially smaller ones, are yet to be convinced that improving their energy efficiency makes commercial sense," he explained. "The Carbon Trust must provide evidence to the contrary and also aim to assist more eligible small businesses under its interest free loan incentive scheme." Set up in 2001, the Carbon Trust receives funding from the government and is supposed to help businesses and public sector organisations in the UK reduce their carbon dioxide emissions.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.