News

January 09, 2015

Also in the news this week - 9th January 2015

Skipping lunch break is bad for your health

Just 29% of workers take a proper lunch break each day and 43% of employees believe they have too much work to pause for a few minutes, according to a survey of 2,000 workers by Bupa. It is calling on businesses to do more to encourage staff to take a break. As well as putting their health at risk, BUPA says employees that don’t take proper breaks are often less productive. Patrick Watt, Bupa corporate director, said: “Taking a proper break helps employees to stay alert, focused, and perform at their peak.”

Businesses sign up to online tax account

More than half a million businesses have signed up to HMRC’s online tax account, Your Tax Account. Launched in May 2014, Your Tax Account will, over time, enable small businesses to access everything they need to manage their tax affairs in a single, secure, online space. Current business users can access a personalised homepage that links to tools and information, including tax liabilities and payment methods. More services will be added over time. David Gauke, financial secretary to the Treasury, said: “Your Tax Account gives businesses easier, quicker and simpler access to the information and services they need in one place.”

Productivity rises in the UK

UK productivity is rising, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). UK labour productivity, as measured by output per hour, increased by 0.6% in the third quarter of 2014 compared with the previous quarter and it was 0.3% higher than a year earlier. However, productivity is still 2% below its level prior to the economic downturn in 2008. The ONS also revealed that unit labour costs increased across the whole economy by 0.5% in the third quarter.

Wanted: Six entrepreneurs for life changing experience

Mark Bowness wants to take six entrepreneurs to a boot camp on a desert island to help them make their business dreams come true. Mark was behind the TV show, Paradise or Bust, where he tried to build an eco-community on a remote Fijian island. Now he’s back with This Is Your Life Change, a business boot camp run by business experts dedicated to helping six people launch an enterprise that “can transform quality of life in a community”. So far, over 700 have applied for the experience.