Richard Burton

Feb 18, 2025 | smeweb.com | Richard Burton

Wages are still ahead of inflation in both the public and private sectors, according to newly published official figures. In real terms, pay rose 3.4% between October and December compared with the same period a year ago, after taking into account the pace of price rises.

Feb 18, 2025 | smeweb.com | Richard Burton

More than four in ten entrepreneurs exit in order to prioritise wellbeing and family, according to new research that highlights the emotional toll of running a business in the current climate. Current market conditions also play a leading role with 65 per cent selling up sooner than they had wanted due to the fear of tax rises. And one in five said they received offers they “couldn’t refuse”, often resulting in hasty decisions and heightened uncertainty.

Feb 11, 2025 | smeweb.com | Richard Burton

President Trump’s decision to pull out of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives threatens to have a dramatic knock-on effect with major global corporations announcing plans to scale back or reverse their own DEI agendas.

Feb 11, 2025 | smeweb.com | Richard Burton

The CIPD is using National Apprenticeship Week to urge the Government to act on developing the skills needed to deliver economic growth, by involving employers in the early design of the new Growth and Skills Levy and introducing an Apprenticeship Guarantee for all young people aged 16-24.

Feb 7, 2025 | smeweb.com | Richard Burton

The  Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates has been widely welcomed by business, but it comes with caveats. The 4.5% comes as it halved its UK growth forecasts for this year and warned households could expect renewed pressure from rising prices. The Bank’s monetary policy committee voted by a seven to two to reduce the rates from 4.75%, to provide some financial relief to borrowers, given the Government’s struggles with a sluggish economy.