| Compliance News |
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| Little respite from empty property tax, says BPF |
| The Chancellor's announcement that properties with a rateable value below £15,000 would be exempt from 2009 until 2010 was cautiously welcomed yesterday by campaigners against empty property rates relief. |
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| Cheaper trade marks for innovators |
| Trade mark protection in Europe looks set to become cheaper, giving entrepreneurs and small firms a much-needed savings boost. |
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| Government consults on banning wage top-up practice |
| BERR has launched a consultation on proposals to ban employers from using service tips to make up staff pay to National Minimum Wage (NMW) levels. |
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| Tax debt rises by nearly a quarter during credit crunch |
| The number of people and businesses with tax debt has risen by 22% in a year, according to estimates by the National Audit Office (NAO). |
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| Timescales tight for implementing VAT change, say businesses |
| The Chancellor's move to cut VAT has caused many business leaders to argue that implementing the new rate of 15% on 1 December does not give businesses enough time to make the necessary changes. |
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| REACH pre-registration date nears |
| The deadline for businesses to pre-register in order to comply with the European Union (EU)-enforced Regulation, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) legislation is fast approaching. |
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| Business News |
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| Clinton nominated secretary of state |
| President-elect Barack Obama unveiled his national security team, including his choice of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state |
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| Ford studying possible sale of Volvo |
| Ford Motor said it was re-evaluating its options for Volvo, including the possible sale of the lossmaking Swedish brand, ahead of its appearance in Congress to appeal for federal emergency aid |
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| London stocks sink amid economic gloom |
| London equities fell after gloomy data pointed to looming problems in retail and industry. Mining and energy stocks led the fall after data indicated the UK could be heading for a painful recession |
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| Clock ticks for New Star |
| Shares fall 50% after group say it is in talks with HBOS, Lloyds TSB, HSBC and RBS, that would leave the lenders owning a majority stake in the beleaguered fund manager |
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| Tudor Jones suspends withdrawals from flagship fund |
| Paul Tudor Jones, who shot to fame and made a fortune when he predicted the 1987 stock market crash, suspended withdrawals from his $10bn flagship hedge fund and plans to split out toxic assets into a new fund with lower fees |
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| UK manufacturing orders fall at record pace |
| UK manufacturing fell at a record pace in November as new orders collapsed, according to the latest purchasing managers' survey complied by Markit/CIPS |
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