Business News

Microsoft is working on a major project with Reading University designed to illustrate the energy savings that companies can make switching to its latest Windows 7 operating system.

According to the company, Windows 7 operates using about 30 per cent less energy that its previous operating system Windows XP.

An independent analysis of 91,000 tenancies published today shows that small businesses are increasingly signing shorter deals, with 81 per cent on leases of five years or fewer and therefore unlikely to face a rent review. By comparison just over three per cent of small businesses have a lease of over ten years.

Paul Ragan has launched Collateral Thinking, with two fellow directors to offer a free mentoring service to entrepreneurs and business leaders to help fast track their ongoing development.

“At the moment it is more important than ever that we create a positive environment for business start-ups to succeed and new businesses to grow,” said Paul Ragan yesterday.

The total number of Employment Tribunal claims has soared by over 56% in the last year, from 151,000 in 2008-2009 to a total of 236,100 up to the end of March this year.

The main increases are Working Time Directive claims, deduction of wages and redundancy pay claims.

New research into police payment practices has revealed vast differences in the amount of time different forces take to pay their suppliers and contractors.

Companies doing business with the police in some parts of the UK can expect their invoices to be paid within days, the Forum of Private Business has discovered.

Asil Nadir, the tycoon who fled the UK to avoid standing trial on fraud charges relating to the collapse of his Polly Peck empire, is to return to Britain today in an attempt to clear his name.