UK commercial property owners are putting their investments at risk from underinsurance by failing to maintain their sum insured at adequate levels, according to Aviva, with the problem set to rise as the country exits the recession.

The sum insured is the amount it would cost to completely rebuild the property and should include the costs of removing debris as well as architects’ and surveyors’ fees. The insurance premium charged is linked to the sum insured.

Mark...

Rob

UK Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has announced a major expansion of the financial services offered by the Post Office, in a drive to put banking back into the heart of communities and making the Post Office network of 11,500 branches more sustainable. He also announced £180m of new funding for the Post Office.

Publishing the Government’s response to its consultation on Post Office banking, Lord Mandelson said:

“Since the global banking crisis we have set about reinventing...

Rob

A survey of UK manufacturers, conducted by Findlay Media in association with Deloitte the business advisory firm, has revealed that almost two-thirds of manufacturers (62%) expect the availability of credit to remain the same or improve in the coming 12 months. The industry is also responding positively to the economic challenges by making use of available public sector funding, with 63% declaring a good understanding of available grants and incentives whilst 33% of manufacturers have sought capital...

Rob

I often get emails from budding entrepreneurs wanting to know how to get started in business. People start businesses for a variety of reasons. They may want a better lifestyle for them and their family, or they may be tired of working for others. However, for whatever reason you wish to start a business, the bottom line is that it’s not easy.

One thing you need a lot of is dedication and patience!

If you are in this position, here are a few considerations to think...

Rob

For all the bad points about a recession, including an increase in the number of businesses closing and the general uncertainty a slowdown produces, there actually are a few good things which can come out of it.

One positive side of a recession is that the businesses that do survive are generally leaner and fitter than before. That's because a recession stretches the entrepreneur’s imagination to try and find ways of doing work in a more cost-effective manner, or to find new products...

Rob