http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/ Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:42:49 +0000 MyBB http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=502 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:50:29 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=502 Small and medium-sized businesses that have their applications for loans rejected will be able to appeal to more senior bank managers under proposals from Lord Mandelson.

The Business Secretary is worried that smaller businesses are being deprived of capital because lenders are trying to rebuild their balance sheets instead of passing on state-backed funds to corporate Britain.

His comments come days after the Bank of England warned that commercial lending had shrunk by £6.5 billion in January, almost double the decline experienced in December. Corporate lending is now at its lowest for almost a year, despite the billions of state funds committed to help lenders and credit commitments.

At a Federation of Small Business conference in Aberdeen yesterday, Lord Mandelson said: “What I want to do is raise that with the banks and find a better means of doing so to enable small businesses, in a sense, to appeal over the heads of their local managers and area directors, go to a central point in the banks and say: ‘Look, I’ve been a long-standing customer of yours and I don’t expect to be treated in this way.’

Full article Business Times Online Suzy Jagger, Politics & Business Correspondent]]> Small and medium-sized businesses that have their applications for loans rejected will be able to appeal to more senior bank managers under proposals from Lord Mandelson.

The Business Secretary is worried that smaller businesses are being deprived of capital because lenders are trying to rebuild their balance sheets instead of passing on state-backed funds to corporate Britain.

His comments come days after the Bank of England warned that commercial lending had shrunk by £6.5 billion in January, almost double the decline experienced in December. Corporate lending is now at its lowest for almost a year, despite the billions of state funds committed to help lenders and credit commitments.

At a Federation of Small Business conference in Aberdeen yesterday, Lord Mandelson said: “What I want to do is raise that with the banks and find a better means of doing so to enable small businesses, in a sense, to appeal over the heads of their local managers and area directors, go to a central point in the banks and say: ‘Look, I’ve been a long-standing customer of yours and I don’t expect to be treated in this way.’

Full article Business Times Online Suzy Jagger, Politics & Business Correspondent]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=501 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:47:21 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=501 Hollywood is set for a shake-up with two major names in movie-making poised to change hands.

The close of play in Los Angeles today marks the deadline for bids to be submitted for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Miramax.

Both companies are up for grabs as the film industry suffers amid slumping DVD sales, prompting companies to explore merging to save on costs.

Debt-laden MGM is racing against a March 31 deadline on a big interest payment it owes to secure a suitable offer.

The studio released just one film last year - Fame - but it has an attractive library of more than 4,000 titles, including gems like the James Bond and Pink Panther franchises.

Media giant Time Warner is said to be among those considering making a second round bid for the studio, alongside industrialist Len Blavatnik's Access Industries and independent studio Lions Gate.

The three companies are expected to make bids in the range of $1.2bn (£800m) to $1.5bn (£1bn), well below the nearly $4bn (£2.6bn) that MGM owes its bank lenders.

Full article Business Sky News Emma Rowley, Sky News Online]]> Hollywood is set for a shake-up with two major names in movie-making poised to change hands.

The close of play in Los Angeles today marks the deadline for bids to be submitted for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Miramax.

Both companies are up for grabs as the film industry suffers amid slumping DVD sales, prompting companies to explore merging to save on costs.

Debt-laden MGM is racing against a March 31 deadline on a big interest payment it owes to secure a suitable offer.

The studio released just one film last year - Fame - but it has an attractive library of more than 4,000 titles, including gems like the James Bond and Pink Panther franchises.

Media giant Time Warner is said to be among those considering making a second round bid for the studio, alongside industrialist Len Blavatnik's Access Industries and independent studio Lions Gate.

The three companies are expected to make bids in the range of $1.2bn (£800m) to $1.5bn (£1bn), well below the nearly $4bn (£2.6bn) that MGM owes its bank lenders.

Full article Business Sky News Emma Rowley, Sky News Online]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=500 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:44:14 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=500 The UK housing shortage is at crisis point - with building work at its lowest level since World War Two despite a need for a million extra homes, it is claimed.

A report by the Home Builders Federation found almost five million people are on council housing waiting lists and 1.6 million children are living in overcrowded, temporary or run down housing in Britain.

Executive chairman Stewart Baseley said: "We have a desperate and growing housing crisis that just has to be addressed.

"But despite the shortfall of homes fast approaching a million, we are building less than at any time since the Second World War.

"The social and economic implications dictate that the new Parliament's MPs must address the barriers to delivery as a matter of urgency."

Fatima Bourenane lives in a two-bedroom council flat in west London with her three children. Her two sons aged 10 and 13 share a room that measures around three metres by four.

It is not large enough for a bed each, so the boys take turns sleeping on the floor.

Full aticle Business Sky News Jane Dougall, Sky News reporter]]> The UK housing shortage is at crisis point - with building work at its lowest level since World War Two despite a need for a million extra homes, it is claimed.

A report by the Home Builders Federation found almost five million people are on council housing waiting lists and 1.6 million children are living in overcrowded, temporary or run down housing in Britain.

Executive chairman Stewart Baseley said: "We have a desperate and growing housing crisis that just has to be addressed.

"But despite the shortfall of homes fast approaching a million, we are building less than at any time since the Second World War.

"The social and economic implications dictate that the new Parliament's MPs must address the barriers to delivery as a matter of urgency."

Fatima Bourenane lives in a two-bedroom council flat in west London with her three children. Her two sons aged 10 and 13 share a room that measures around three metres by four.

It is not large enough for a bed each, so the boys take turns sleeping on the floor.

Full aticle Business Sky News Jane Dougall, Sky News reporter]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=499 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:40:00 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=499 Consumers are increasingly using social media websites such as Facebook to vent their anger after receiving poor service, according to a survey.

A quarter of consumers polled by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) said that they did not get good service from businesses.

More than 80% said that they would tell their family and friends if they received excellent or poor service.

But a third said they would write a negative view on the company's website.

Full article BBC Business News]]> Consumers are increasingly using social media websites such as Facebook to vent their anger after receiving poor service, according to a survey.

A quarter of consumers polled by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) said that they did not get good service from businesses.

More than 80% said that they would tell their family and friends if they received excellent or poor service.

But a third said they would write a negative view on the company's website.

Full article BBC Business News]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=498 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:05:15 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=498 Finding the right franchise in the UK can be a daunting task!

However, if you approach this in the right way you should be able to make a short list of suitable UK franchises opportunities that you would like to explore further.

When you try to make this decision it is a matter of matching the skills and type of experience required to run a UK franchise with what you like doing, and are good at.

In most cases what you are good at doing will tend to be what you’re best at and therefore the best franchise opportunity to follow.

In many cases it’s worth remembering that franchising can allow you to work in an industry where you’ve had no previous experience. However, before you look at any specific industry sector, you should consider the way you want to develop your business, for example do want to run a single unit franchise opportunity or do you want to develop an area or a region.

You might also want to consider the idea of setting up your own business before going down the franchise route - once you have counted this option out then go for it!]]> Finding the right franchise in the UK can be a daunting task!

However, if you approach this in the right way you should be able to make a short list of suitable UK franchises opportunities that you would like to explore further.

When you try to make this decision it is a matter of matching the skills and type of experience required to run a UK franchise with what you like doing, and are good at.

In most cases what you are good at doing will tend to be what you’re best at and therefore the best franchise opportunity to follow.

In many cases it’s worth remembering that franchising can allow you to work in an industry where you’ve had no previous experience. However, before you look at any specific industry sector, you should consider the way you want to develop your business, for example do want to run a single unit franchise opportunity or do you want to develop an area or a region.

You might also want to consider the idea of setting up your own business before going down the franchise route - once you have counted this option out then go for it!]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=497 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:59:47 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=497 If you are looking to buy into a franchise Opportunity - Here is a Directory of Business Franchises and opportunities for Sale.

Franchise Direct UK is a dedicated resource with a wide list of businesses for sale and franchise opportunities for sale. View an impressive article index relating to franchising, franchisee success stories and more. Find your perfect franchise opportunity here.

Choose your best franchise opportunity from our industry categories...

Accountancy & Financial
Automotive Franchises
B2B Franchises
Business Consulting
Business Opportunities
Business Training
Care Franchises
Children Franchises
Cleaning Franchises
Coffee Franchises
Computer Franchises
Courier Franchises
Dating Franchises
Education Franchises
Fitness Franchises
Food Franchises
Gardening Franchises
Golf Franchises
Health & Beauty
Home Improvement
Home Services Franchises
Internet Franchises
Magazine Franchises
Merchandising Franchises
Mortgage Franchises
Pest Control Franchises
Pet Franchises
Photography Franchises
Print & Sign
Professional Services
Property & Estate Agency
Recruitment Franchises
Retail Franchises
Safety & Security
Sports Franchises
Travel & Leisure
Vending Franchises
More franchise options...
Home Based Franchises
Part-time Franchises
Van Based Franchises
White Collar Franchises

Click here to find out more!]]> If you are looking to buy into a franchise Opportunity - Here is a Directory of Business Franchises and opportunities for Sale.

Franchise Direct UK is a dedicated resource with a wide list of businesses for sale and franchise opportunities for sale. View an impressive article index relating to franchising, franchisee success stories and more. Find your perfect franchise opportunity here.

Choose your best franchise opportunity from our industry categories...

Accountancy & Financial
Automotive Franchises
B2B Franchises
Business Consulting
Business Opportunities
Business Training
Care Franchises
Children Franchises
Cleaning Franchises
Coffee Franchises
Computer Franchises
Courier Franchises
Dating Franchises
Education Franchises
Fitness Franchises
Food Franchises
Gardening Franchises
Golf Franchises
Health & Beauty
Home Improvement
Home Services Franchises
Internet Franchises
Magazine Franchises
Merchandising Franchises
Mortgage Franchises
Pest Control Franchises
Pet Franchises
Photography Franchises
Print & Sign
Professional Services
Property & Estate Agency
Recruitment Franchises
Retail Franchises
Safety & Security
Sports Franchises
Travel & Leisure
Vending Franchises
More franchise options...
Home Based Franchises
Part-time Franchises
Van Based Franchises
White Collar Franchises

Click here to find out more!]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=496 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:15:59 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=496 Duncan Bannatyne has dived into the non-dom debate with a dig at his Dragon's Den colleague James Caan.

The Scottish tycoon, worth £320m, accused his fellow millionaire of having an "unfair" business advantage because he is non-domiciled which means he does not pay UK tax on his overseas earnings.

Writing in the The Daily Telegraph, Bannatyne said: "A non-dom simply needs to say that his or her UK company is managed by a board of directors outside the UK and then make a charge to the company for "management services".

"This reduces the pre-tax profit of the company and so reduces its corporation tax."

The criticism comes as Caan, worth £65m, launches a range of health clubs which will compete with Bannatyne's fitness empire.

Bannatyne said rival Caan's non-dom status gives him more money to invest in his UK ventures and puts business owners like him at a "distinct disadvantage".

He added that he was frustrated because UK business owners pay tax on all their earnings and corporation tax on all the profits made by their businesses.

Full article Business Sky News Naomi Kerbel, Sky News Online]]> Duncan Bannatyne has dived into the non-dom debate with a dig at his Dragon's Den colleague James Caan.

The Scottish tycoon, worth £320m, accused his fellow millionaire of having an "unfair" business advantage because he is non-domiciled which means he does not pay UK tax on his overseas earnings.

Writing in the The Daily Telegraph, Bannatyne said: "A non-dom simply needs to say that his or her UK company is managed by a board of directors outside the UK and then make a charge to the company for "management services".

"This reduces the pre-tax profit of the company and so reduces its corporation tax."

The criticism comes as Caan, worth £65m, launches a range of health clubs which will compete with Bannatyne's fitness empire.

Bannatyne said rival Caan's non-dom status gives him more money to invest in his UK ventures and puts business owners like him at a "distinct disadvantage".

He added that he was frustrated because UK business owners pay tax on all their earnings and corporation tax on all the profits made by their businesses.

Full article Business Sky News Naomi Kerbel, Sky News Online]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=495 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:11:29 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=495 Car production in the UK was up 62.7% last month compared to February 2009, signalling a fourth successive monthly rise.

The number of commercial vehicles produced also recovered sharply, up 74.2% compared to 12 months earlier when the industry was badly hit by the recession, the Society of Motor Manfacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

The SMMT said movement of the pound has made British-made products more competitive, with exports offering "resilience" to tough local conditions.

Full article Business Sky News Emma Rowley, Sky News Online]]> Car production in the UK was up 62.7% last month compared to February 2009, signalling a fourth successive monthly rise.

The number of commercial vehicles produced also recovered sharply, up 74.2% compared to 12 months earlier when the industry was badly hit by the recession, the Society of Motor Manfacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

The SMMT said movement of the pound has made British-made products more competitive, with exports offering "resilience" to tough local conditions.

Full article Business Sky News Emma Rowley, Sky News Online]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=494 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:07:22 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=494 German industrial giant Siemens is to cut 4,200 jobs from its IT unit - more than 10% of its worldwide IT workforce.

The job cuts, which will include 2,000 in Germany, are set to be made by the autumn of 2011.

Siemens also plans to turn the division into a separate business entity by the autumn of this year.

It is the latest round of cost-cutting for the technology giant, whose recent results showed a big improvement in profits.

Net income for the last three months of 2009 came in at 1.53bn euros ($2.1bn; £1.36bn), a rise of 24% on the 1.23bn euros recorded for the same period a year earlier.

The improvement was largely because of cost-cutting.

Full article BBC Business News]]> German industrial giant Siemens is to cut 4,200 jobs from its IT unit - more than 10% of its worldwide IT workforce.

The job cuts, which will include 2,000 in Germany, are set to be made by the autumn of 2011.

Siemens also plans to turn the division into a separate business entity by the autumn of this year.

It is the latest round of cost-cutting for the technology giant, whose recent results showed a big improvement in profits.

Net income for the last three months of 2009 came in at 1.53bn euros ($2.1bn; £1.36bn), a rise of 24% on the 1.23bn euros recorded for the same period a year earlier.

The improvement was largely because of cost-cutting.

Full article BBC Business News]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=493 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:04:54 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=493 Lending to UK businesses weakened in January, according to the latest Bank of England quarterly lending survey.

Banks and building societies lent £6.5bn ($9.9bn) less in January, after a drop of £3.4bn in December.

In the year to January, lending to businesses contracted by 9.3%, the sharpest drop in more than 10 years.

"Tight credit conditions remain a serious obstacle to significant, sustainable recovery," said economist Howard Archer from IHS Global Insight.

"It is evident that ongoing very weak bank lending to companies is being influenced significantly by low demand for credit in addition to restricted supply."

The government has spent billions of pounds trying to boost lending.

It has pumped £200bn into the economy through its quantitative easing programme in order to provide banks with more capital to lend to individuals and businesses.

The Bank of England says the availability of credit is getting better, though more for larger businesses than small ones, where availability is "improving but still fragile".

"Banks have to realise the business landscape has changed," said a spokesman from the Forum of Private Business, arguing that banks were too risk-averse and the costs of borrowing were too high.

"They need to judge businesses on their individual merits rather than taking a one size fits all approach."

Full article BBC Business News]]> Lending to UK businesses weakened in January, according to the latest Bank of England quarterly lending survey.

Banks and building societies lent £6.5bn ($9.9bn) less in January, after a drop of £3.4bn in December.

In the year to January, lending to businesses contracted by 9.3%, the sharpest drop in more than 10 years.

"Tight credit conditions remain a serious obstacle to significant, sustainable recovery," said economist Howard Archer from IHS Global Insight.

"It is evident that ongoing very weak bank lending to companies is being influenced significantly by low demand for credit in addition to restricted supply."

The government has spent billions of pounds trying to boost lending.

It has pumped £200bn into the economy through its quantitative easing programme in order to provide banks with more capital to lend to individuals and businesses.

The Bank of England says the availability of credit is getting better, though more for larger businesses than small ones, where availability is "improving but still fragile".

"Banks have to realise the business landscape has changed," said a spokesman from the Forum of Private Business, arguing that banks were too risk-averse and the costs of borrowing were too high.

"They need to judge businesses on their individual merits rather than taking a one size fits all approach."

Full article BBC Business News]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=492 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:02:33 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=492 Mortgage lending increased in February as the fluctuation in the housing market continued, lenders have said.

Gross lending for home loans in the UK rose by 6% in February compared with January to an estimated £9.2bn, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said.

The figures come after a slowdown in January when housing market activity was hit by the weather and the end of stamp duty relief.

Lenders said they expected an uneven market in the months ahead.

Recovery?

The February lending figure is still well below the average during 2009, and was 6% lower than mortgage lending in the same month a year earlier.

CML economist Paul Samter said: "Lending remains relatively weak, suggesting that activity is still at low levels."

Full article BBC Business News]]> Mortgage lending increased in February as the fluctuation in the housing market continued, lenders have said.

Gross lending for home loans in the UK rose by 6% in February compared with January to an estimated £9.2bn, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said.

The figures come after a slowdown in January when housing market activity was hit by the weather and the end of stamp duty relief.

Lenders said they expected an uneven market in the months ahead.

Recovery?

The February lending figure is still well below the average during 2009, and was 6% lower than mortgage lending in the same month a year earlier.

CML economist Paul Samter said: "Lending remains relatively weak, suggesting that activity is still at low levels."

Full article BBC Business News]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=491 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:57:11 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=491 UK government borrowing could be less than forecast this financial year after better-than-expected figures for February and revised January data.

The UK government borrowed £12.4bn in February, less than economists had expected, official figures have shown.

The figure for January was also revised sharply downwards, to £43m from £4.3bn.

Borrowing in the current financial year has now reached £131.9bn, but analysts say the full-year total may be less than the government's £178bn forecast.

Until recently, most analysts thought the government's borrowing forecast was too optimistic.

The Office for National Statistics said that the overall effect of the latest revisions to historical data for the year had cut overall borrowing for 2009/10 by £2.9bn.

Despite the revisions and February's better-than-expected figure, government borrowing is still running at record highs for the year, partly due to reduced tax receipts because of slow economic growth.

Full article BBC Business News]]> UK government borrowing could be less than forecast this financial year after better-than-expected figures for February and revised January data.

The UK government borrowed £12.4bn in February, less than economists had expected, official figures have shown.

The figure for January was also revised sharply downwards, to £43m from £4.3bn.

Borrowing in the current financial year has now reached £131.9bn, but analysts say the full-year total may be less than the government's £178bn forecast.

Until recently, most analysts thought the government's borrowing forecast was too optimistic.

The Office for National Statistics said that the overall effect of the latest revisions to historical data for the year had cut overall borrowing for 2009/10 by £2.9bn.

Despite the revisions and February's better-than-expected figure, government borrowing is still running at record highs for the year, partly due to reduced tax receipts because of slow economic growth.

Full article BBC Business News]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=490 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:02:09 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=490 The Bank of Japan voted through a 20 trillion yen (£146 billion) scheme today that doubles the size of its existing facility of super-cheap funding for the banking sector.

The move, which was described by analysts as a “well-meaning but ultimately futile” attempt to beat deflation, represents a further loosening of the BoJ’s ultra-liberal monetary policy.

The central bank hopes that ample liquidity will encourage banks to lend to businesses and revitalise investment and money flow.

Last year the central bank provided a Y10 trillion short-term lending programme that the new scheme replicates.

At the same meeting today, the central bank voted to keep the key interest rate on hold at 0.1 per cent.

The BoJ has come under intensifying pressure to work with the new Goverment in its war on deflation, a campaign that has yet to reverse Japan’s destructive trend of falling prices.

It has also become clear that factions within the BoJ are convinced that there is no further point in trying to fight deflation with monetary policy.

Full article Business Times Online Leo Lewis, Asia Business Correspondent]]> The Bank of Japan voted through a 20 trillion yen (£146 billion) scheme today that doubles the size of its existing facility of super-cheap funding for the banking sector.

The move, which was described by analysts as a “well-meaning but ultimately futile” attempt to beat deflation, represents a further loosening of the BoJ’s ultra-liberal monetary policy.

The central bank hopes that ample liquidity will encourage banks to lend to businesses and revitalise investment and money flow.

Last year the central bank provided a Y10 trillion short-term lending programme that the new scheme replicates.

At the same meeting today, the central bank voted to keep the key interest rate on hold at 0.1 per cent.

The BoJ has come under intensifying pressure to work with the new Goverment in its war on deflation, a campaign that has yet to reverse Japan’s destructive trend of falling prices.

It has also become clear that factions within the BoJ are convinced that there is no further point in trying to fight deflation with monetary policy.

Full article Business Times Online Leo Lewis, Asia Business Correspondent]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=489 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:53:00 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=489 A growing number of television writers are creating programmes solely for the internet, as audiences look for alternative sources of drama.

Girl Number 9 tells the story of a suspected serial killer. But it isn't your average prime time TV drama.

It's never even been shown on television. Six episodes were made, each lasting just five minutes, just for the internet.

Director Dan Turner said: "It gives you enormous freedom, you just make the show and put it up there and people can judge it.

"There's no gatekeepers out there to tell you what you can and can't do, and creatively that's amazing."

Whilst you can watch nearly anything on the internet, only a small proportion of television programmes are watched online.

But that figure is growing dramatically. Last year alone we viewed an estimated 65 billion videos on the internet.

However, media commentator Steve Hewlett says we're unlikely to be switching off our televisions any time soon.

"There's no evidence that I can see that quality TV content is less in demand than it was previously," he said.

"If anything, the indications are that TV viewing is rising and not falling. Most internet activity is complementary and additional."

Viral internet hit Svengali follows a hapless band manager trying to secure a record deal.

100,000 people have watched the six episodes that have been made. The next episode is being filmed in London today.

It's low-budget and part-improvised. None of the actors were paid.

Full article Business Sky News Julie-Anna Needham, Sky News reporter]]> A growing number of television writers are creating programmes solely for the internet, as audiences look for alternative sources of drama.

Girl Number 9 tells the story of a suspected serial killer. But it isn't your average prime time TV drama.

It's never even been shown on television. Six episodes were made, each lasting just five minutes, just for the internet.

Director Dan Turner said: "It gives you enormous freedom, you just make the show and put it up there and people can judge it.

"There's no gatekeepers out there to tell you what you can and can't do, and creatively that's amazing."

Whilst you can watch nearly anything on the internet, only a small proportion of television programmes are watched online.

But that figure is growing dramatically. Last year alone we viewed an estimated 65 billion videos on the internet.

However, media commentator Steve Hewlett says we're unlikely to be switching off our televisions any time soon.

"There's no evidence that I can see that quality TV content is less in demand than it was previously," he said.

"If anything, the indications are that TV viewing is rising and not falling. Most internet activity is complementary and additional."

Viral internet hit Svengali follows a hapless band manager trying to secure a record deal.

100,000 people have watched the six episodes that have been made. The next episode is being filmed in London today.

It's low-budget and part-improvised. None of the actors were paid.

Full article Business Sky News Julie-Anna Needham, Sky News reporter]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=488 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:49:46 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=488 Facebook has beaten Google to become the most visited website in the US for the first time.

The social networking website knocked the search engine off the top spot for the week ending March 13, according to industry analysts Experian Hitwise.

Facebook.com received 7.07% of all internet traffic, edging ahead of Google.com which had 7.03%.

It is the first time that Facebook has enjoyed a weekly lead over Google.

The site has previously seized the number one spot on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and the weekend March 6/7.

Heather Dougherty, of Hitwise Intelligence, said Facebook has reached an "important milestone".

In addition, Facebook has been growing at a much faster rate than its search engine rival.

The site's market share was up 185% for the week compared to a year earlier, while visits to Google.com increased just 9% during the same period.

Full article Business Sky News Emma Rowley, Sky News Online]]> Facebook has beaten Google to become the most visited website in the US for the first time.

The social networking website knocked the search engine off the top spot for the week ending March 13, according to industry analysts Experian Hitwise.

Facebook.com received 7.07% of all internet traffic, edging ahead of Google.com which had 7.03%.

It is the first time that Facebook has enjoyed a weekly lead over Google.

The site has previously seized the number one spot on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and the weekend March 6/7.

Heather Dougherty, of Hitwise Intelligence, said Facebook has reached an "important milestone".

In addition, Facebook has been growing at a much faster rate than its search engine rival.

The site's market share was up 185% for the week compared to a year earlier, while visits to Google.com increased just 9% during the same period.

Full article Business Sky News Emma Rowley, Sky News Online]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=487 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:43:56 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=487 US producer prices - the wholesale price of goods leaving the factory gate - fell by more than expected in February, official figures have shown.

The seasonally adjusted index for producer prices fell 0.6% in February, the biggest fall since July.

The fall was attributed by the US Labor Department to a 2.9% drop in energy costs.

Analysts said the figures indicated that there were few inflationary pressures in the economy.

Stripping out energy and food costs, core producer prices rose by 0.1% n February.

Full article BBC Business News]]> US producer prices - the wholesale price of goods leaving the factory gate - fell by more than expected in February, official figures have shown.

The seasonally adjusted index for producer prices fell 0.6% in February, the biggest fall since July.

The fall was attributed by the US Labor Department to a 2.9% drop in energy costs.

Analysts said the figures indicated that there were few inflationary pressures in the economy.

Stripping out energy and food costs, core producer prices rose by 0.1% n February.

Full article BBC Business News]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=486 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:42:16 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=486 The Organisation of Oil Exporting Countries (Opec) has agreed to keep to its existing oil output quota.

The decision was widely expected but nonetheless sent the price of the UK benchmark, Brent crude oil, up by 72 cents to $81.25 a barrel.

US light sweet crude was up 77 cents at $82.47 a barrel.

The oil producers' cartel is already exceeding its stated production target of 24.84 million barrels a day, but expects demand to mop up that extra.

Saudi Arabia's oil minister said he expected demand to rise strongly.

'Beautiful prices'

The minister, Ali al-Naimi, told the Reuters news agency just before the cartel's meeting in Vienna that he was content with the way things were going.

"Good demand, reliable supply, beautiful prices -- we are very happy," he said.

The kingdom, which is the second biggest oil producer in the world, behind Russia, said global demand would rise by one million barrels a day, with most of that coming from Asia.

Full article BBC Business News]]> The Organisation of Oil Exporting Countries (Opec) has agreed to keep to its existing oil output quota.

The decision was widely expected but nonetheless sent the price of the UK benchmark, Brent crude oil, up by 72 cents to $81.25 a barrel.

US light sweet crude was up 77 cents at $82.47 a barrel.

The oil producers' cartel is already exceeding its stated production target of 24.84 million barrels a day, but expects demand to mop up that extra.

Saudi Arabia's oil minister said he expected demand to rise strongly.

'Beautiful prices'

The minister, Ali al-Naimi, told the Reuters news agency just before the cartel's meeting in Vienna that he was content with the way things were going.

"Good demand, reliable supply, beautiful prices -- we are very happy," he said.

The kingdom, which is the second biggest oil producer in the world, behind Russia, said global demand would rise by one million barrels a day, with most of that coming from Asia.

Full article BBC Business News]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=485 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:39:48 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=485 The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) agreed unanimously that interest rates should stay at 0.5% this month, minutes of the meeting show.

All nine members voted for no change, even though inflation is currently at 3.5%, well above the 2% target.

However, some MPC members noted that the weakening of the pound could lead to inflation risks.

The MPC was unanimous in keeping the £200bn quantitative easing (QE) programme unchanged.

Under QE, the Bank pumped new money into the economy by buying assets, such as government bonds, in an attempt to boost lending by commercial banks.

Currency move

The jump in CPI inflation to 3.5% in January was viewed as being caused by temporary factors, including the return of VAT to 17.5%.

The notes of the meeting said inflation was set to remain above the 2% target for some months to come, and that there were certain risks from the weak pound, which has now fallen in value by 25% since 2007.

Full article BBC Business News]]> The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) agreed unanimously that interest rates should stay at 0.5% this month, minutes of the meeting show.

All nine members voted for no change, even though inflation is currently at 3.5%, well above the 2% target.

However, some MPC members noted that the weakening of the pound could lead to inflation risks.

The MPC was unanimous in keeping the £200bn quantitative easing (QE) programme unchanged.

Under QE, the Bank pumped new money into the economy by buying assets, such as government bonds, in an attempt to boost lending by commercial banks.

Currency move

The jump in CPI inflation to 3.5% in January was viewed as being caused by temporary factors, including the return of VAT to 17.5%.

The notes of the meeting said inflation was set to remain above the 2% target for some months to come, and that there were certain risks from the weak pound, which has now fallen in value by 25% since 2007.

Full article BBC Business News]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=484 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:38:06 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=484 The number of people unemployed in the UK has fallen again, leaving the jobless rate at 7.8%, figures show.

Total unemployment stood at 2.45 million for the three months to January, down 33,000 on the figure for the previous three months.

But long-term unemployment, covering those out of work for more than a year, rose by 61,000 to 687,000.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell by 32,300 to 1.59 million in February.

Unemployment among 18 to 24-year-olds fell by 34,000 to 715,000, but among the over-50s, joblessness rose by 14,000 to 398,000.

Flexibility

"This is a positive surprise and not before time," said Colin Ellis, Economist at Daiwa Capital Markets, in response to the unemployment figures.

He said that workers were being flexible, so as to remain in the labour market.

"Workers are probably willing to accept lower wages or shorter hours to hang on to their jobs."

Read Stephanie's thoughts in full
However, the number of people in work actually fell in the quarter, by 54,000 to 28.86 million.

Full article BBC Business News]]> The number of people unemployed in the UK has fallen again, leaving the jobless rate at 7.8%, figures show.

Total unemployment stood at 2.45 million for the three months to January, down 33,000 on the figure for the previous three months.

But long-term unemployment, covering those out of work for more than a year, rose by 61,000 to 687,000.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell by 32,300 to 1.59 million in February.

Unemployment among 18 to 24-year-olds fell by 34,000 to 715,000, but among the over-50s, joblessness rose by 14,000 to 398,000.

Flexibility

"This is a positive surprise and not before time," said Colin Ellis, Economist at Daiwa Capital Markets, in response to the unemployment figures.

He said that workers were being flexible, so as to remain in the labour market.

"Workers are probably willing to accept lower wages or shorter hours to hang on to their jobs."

Read Stephanie's thoughts in full
However, the number of people in work actually fell in the quarter, by 54,000 to 28.86 million.

Full article BBC Business News]]> http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=483 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:43:22 +0000 http://www.in-business.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=483 Royal Dutch Shell has announced that a further 1,000 jobs will be lost amid plans to shed a third of its global petrol station network.

The changes, announced at the group's annual strategy briefing today, will take the redundancy tally under Peter Voser, the chief executive, to 7,000.

Shell will cut 2,000 jobs over the next two years, double the number announced last month. The first round of 1,000 jobs will save $1 billion (£663 million) in overheads. Mr Voser has already cut 5,000 jobs since he was appointed in July last year.

"The company had become too complicated and slower to respond than we'd like," he said today. "So we are sharpening up. The priorities are for a more competitive performance, for growth and for sharper delivery of strategy. We have more to do to drive out cost and improve the operating performance in the company."

Mr Voser said that the company's petrol retailing and marketing operation had a presence in more than 100 countries, with petrol stations in about 90. "This portfolio is too scattered and not focused enough on profitability and growth," he said.

The company intends to withdraw from 35 per cent of its petrol station markets. In the United States Shell has improved profitability by moving to a wholesale supply model — licensing its brand at petrol stations to franchisees — and Mr Voser said that he wanted to replicate that model elsewhere.

Full article Business Times Online Robert Lindsay]]> Royal Dutch Shell has announced that a further 1,000 jobs will be lost amid plans to shed a third of its global petrol station network.

The changes, announced at the group's annual strategy briefing today, will take the redundancy tally under Peter Voser, the chief executive, to 7,000.

Shell will cut 2,000 jobs over the next two years, double the number announced last month. The first round of 1,000 jobs will save $1 billion (£663 million) in overheads. Mr Voser has already cut 5,000 jobs since he was appointed in July last year.

"The company had become too complicated and slower to respond than we'd like," he said today. "So we are sharpening up. The priorities are for a more competitive performance, for growth and for sharper delivery of strategy. We have more to do to drive out cost and improve the operating performance in the company."

Mr Voser said that the company's petrol retailing and marketing operation had a presence in more than 100 countries, with petrol stations in about 90. "This portfolio is too scattered and not focused enough on profitability and growth," he said.

The company intends to withdraw from 35 per cent of its petrol station markets. In the United States Shell has improved profitability by moving to a wholesale supply model — licensing its brand at petrol stations to franchisees — and Mr Voser said that he wanted to replicate that model elsewhere.

Full article Business Times Online Robert Lindsay]]>