Business news extra

£1bn fund

RBS and NatWest have launched a £1billion fund dedicated to the UK's manufacturing businesses, 18,000 of which are located in the North-West.

The fund includes competitive fixed-rate loans with the opportunity to defer repayments for up to three years.


Danger time

THE worst of the recession may be over — but the next few months could be the most dangerous time for businesses.

Insolvency trade body R3 warns that 98 per cent of North-West insolvency practitioners said they expected insolvencies to continue rising after the recession ends.


Appeals rise

tougher tax-collecting tactics and penalties imposed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have contributed to a 14 per cent increase in appeals to tax tribunals in 2008 by taxpayers claiming to be overtaxed or unfairly punished.


Late payers

AROUND 2.38 million UK business owners stall payment to other parties to bridge late payment gap and for 1.35 million businesses, one late payment affects all other suppliers.