Insolvency Service raises cost of bankruptcy by 90 Save up to go bust? With the Insolvency Service raising bankruptcy costs by 90 the price of going bust has never been so high, standing at 600 all in, including court fees. However, when the cost of bankruptcy is seen in context of the average bankrupts unsecured debts, this is still value for money for the debtor. 600 is just 2% of the average amount of unsecured debt …

The latest D&B National Business Expectations Survey shows Outlook for the June quarter 2010 * Sales expectations are up five points to an index of 33 the highest in six years and profits expectations have risen again up eight points to 18, the highest in five years * Capital investment expectations have risen to the highest level in almost seven years an index of 15 * Expectations for growth…

Small businesses are hoping to beat the recession by stepping up their sales and marketing strategies, a new survey has revealed. After cutting operating costs to the bare minimum, many smaller firms are hiring sales staff, improving their websites and boosting marketing activities in an effort to tackle tough trading conditions. Research carried out by the not-for-profit Forum of Private Business (FPB) also …

In an environment of low savings rates, and with inflation rising, experts at moneysupermarket.com have highlighted that a better use for some of your savings could be to pay down any credit card debt you may have. Only a handful of savings accounts pay enough interest to offset the effects of inflation, and with the average APR on a credit cards creeping up, anyone with savings and an outstanding balance on their credit card …

Thish De Zoysa has joined MCR, the corporate restructuring and insolvency specialist, as Director. Thish, a qualified chartered accountant, has spent a number of years in audit and business assurance, with over 8 years in corporate restructuring. Thish was previously with the business restructuring team at one of the UKs leading accountancy firms. At MCR Thish will be playing a key role in linking the companys recently …

New research published by CreditPal, a free online service for SMEs, reveals that over the last two years almost half (43%) of UK SMEs have been left with monies owed to them as a result of their trading partners or customers going bust. The total amount owed to SMEs is estimated to be around 5.3 billion. The study highlights the necessity for small businesses to ensure visibility of their trading partners financial s…

Hetal Mehta, Senior Economic Advisor to the Ernst & Young ITEM Club, comments: * With strong survey data last week and the upward revision to Q4 GDP, there was no reason to have expected any policy relaxation last week * While inflation has exceeded the 3% threshold, we maintain that the spike is transitory as the significant margin of spare capacity will weigh down on prices * With the recovery still at a de…

David Butler has been appointed as Business Development Manager at national top ten independent corporate rescue and recovery firm, Leonard Curtis. David''s role at Leonard Curtis, which specialises in providing distressed business with positive strategic advice, will focus on developing and maintaining relationships with key client partners and professionals. David comes to Leonard Curtis from Coface where he s…

Each year, the government introduces regulatory changes affecting businesses on two common commencement dates. These dates are 6 April and 1 October. There are a number of changes due to come into force on 6 April 2010. Some of the changes tie in with the financial year and so take effect from 1 April. Where that is the case, the earlier enforcement date is indicated. What follows is a summary, but not an exhaust…

Debt advice specialists at MoneySolve have set out to warn consumers about the dangers of borrowing money from loan sharks. An estimated 100,000 families borrowed money over the festive season alone from unlicensed lenders, and MoneySolve''s experts believe most are driven to illegal lenders by desperation, noting that: "Poor credit ratings mean that some people struggle to get a loan through banks or licensed lend…