Business

With the 2015 budget just days away independent Devon accountancy firm Thomas Westcott has issued a wish-list it believes will help businesses in the South West.

But, with a General Election looming, the experts at Thomas Westcott fear the Budget announcement will be a "benign affair" focused on what has been achieved, rather than measures to further stimulate business growth.

"With the economy continuing to show encouraging signs and businesses across the South West generally feeling more optimistic we would like to see the Budget used to keep momentum with local...

New research from leading recruitment specialist Robert Half UK reveals that workplace discussions on politics are heating up in the run up to this year’s General Election. According to the study, 85% of employees are reported as discussing politics in the workplace, with one-in-seven (15%) discussing Government issues on a daily basis. The study shows that expressing a political allegiance is no longer seen as a workplace faux pas in the private sector. Just 7% of HR directors think making a political preference known can influence how an employee is treated by management or colleagues. A...

It contributes considerably to Devon’s economy in terms of job creation and economic output, but the construction industry at an entrant level has a skills problem, says a leading industry expert.

Seen as something of a litmus test for local economies, the construction industry reflects the strength and confidence of the marketplace.

In Devon, nearly 25,000 people were employed within the construction industry in 2013 – that’s 5.3% of total employment.

And looking at its supply chain, the jobs created and its contribution to economic output, and the construction...

Entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses in Devon are set to benefit from a unique new support service. Exeter Library has been chosen to pilot a Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs to start, run and grow their own businesses. The new centre will join the network of six others across the UK based on the successful British Library Business and IP Centre in London. Over the past two years Business & IP Centres have been created in city libraries in Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool....