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23 Oct 2023

Family-run Bristol sandwich shop Sandwich Sandwich has been named best in the UK at the UberEats awards.

23 Oct 2023

Convenience stores are set to be part of a testing programme for the UK’s first digital proof of age card.

23 Oct 2023

“Game-changing” facial recognition technology is targeting prolific retail criminals, including shoplifters.

10 Oct 2023

British Independent Retail Association (Bira) acknowledges the Government's investment in towns across the UK.
 

9 Oct 2023

Policing minister Chris Philp has encouraged shop workers to make ‘citizen’s arrests’ on shoplifters, a message branded as ‘dangerous and irresponsible’  by...

9 Oct 2023

A group of independent traders in Budleigh Salterton have started a campaign to attract more shoppers.

9 Oct 2023

New research from Square and Clearpay indicates consumer confidence is rising, with 72% of consumers planning to spend more or the same this coming holiday season compared to last year,...

9 Oct 2023

Miriam Margolyes, Richard Armitage and Tomi Oyemakinde will be among the authors headlining events at this year’s Bookshop Day taking place this Saturday 14th October.

4 Oct 2023

Shop owners have called on the Home Secretary to specifically outlaw attacks on retail workers.

4 Oct 2023

From the start of October, bans and restrictions on single-use plastic cutlery, polystyrene cups and food containers, single-use balloon sticks and certain types of polystyrene cups and...

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SMEs wasting billions on legal services

Posted on in Business News , Creative News, Outdoor News

Small businesses in the UK collectively spend around £60 billion per year on professional services, yet more than £12 billion of that figure is wasted on unnecessary or bad advice.

According to the research by Zeqr, SMEs in the UK admitted to wasting a grand total £12.6 billion on external assistance in professional services, which they felt failed to improve the performance of their companies.

As many as two in five respondents said they found "inefficient" fixed fees to be the main reason for dissatisfaction at the service they received. In particular they cited only needing to ask an HR specialist one or two questions, but being forced to pay an expensive fixed or ongoing fee, as contributing to this lack of value for money.

There is a particular shortfall in employment law advice for SMEs, which is leading to a growing number ending up at tribunals to settle disputes, which can be costly. The mean cost of representation for SMEs at an employment tribunal is £4379, according to the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA).

Unlimited access to legal support 24/7

To give SMEs access to low cost advice, ActSmart offer free unlimited 24/7 access to legal advice and business support helplines - as well as access to a constantly updated employment manual - through our partner DAS, as standard with ActSmart subscriptions starting from just £60 + vat per annum.

Read more about the legal advice helpline or join ActSmart today to take advantage of this service. 

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