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 27th May 2008 CBI reports manufacturers expect to increase prices The price of manufactured goods is forecast to rise significantly in the UK, a report has warned. According to the latest figures from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the highest proportion of manufacturing firms since 1995 believe that their products will get more expensive over the coming three months. Only six per cent of manufacturers said they believe prices will fall, compared to the 36 per cent that said prices would move upwards in the coming half year. In particular, the companies said that rising oil prices would drive up costs. They also pointed to the fact that metals prices rose almost five per cent between April and May this year. "It is clear from the pricing data in the survey that manufacturers are really feeling the impact and having to pass their increasing costs on," explained Ian McCafferty, chief economic adviser at the CBI. "These rising inflationary pressures make it ever more unlikely that we will see the cuts in interest rates expected by the markets only a few weeks ago." Recently, the CBI warned that it was important that the country did not "talk itself into a recession". Martin Broughton, the CBI's president stressed that businesses could weather the economic storm if they were properly supported.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.