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On January 4^th of this year the standard rate of VAT was increased from 17.5% to 20%. Touch Local carried out a poll amongst a sample of UK SMEs registered on our directory to find out the effect the VAT increase has had on their business one month on.

The Survey

In the month since the VAT rate increased to 20%, has it had a detrimental effect on your business?

The Results

Yes: 347 (33%)
No: 547(54%)
Don’t Know: 135 (13%)

Total responses:  1029

Summary:

Over half of small business respondents (54%) who took the survey do not believe the rise in VAT has had a detrimental effect on their business. On the whole, they have not noticed a significant change in output or profit, with a few finding that business has in fact increased in the first month of this year.

A third of respondents (33%) believe that their business has been negatively affected by the increase, with many commenting that they have been forced to increase their prices, which has resulted in customers looking for cheaper alternatives. Other business owners have attempted to absorb the rise to avoid passing the costs on to their customers, but are finding they are forced to make cutbacks to make the move financially viable.

A minority of respondents (13%) believe it is too early to comment on the impact the VAT rise has had on their business.

See below a selection of comments received from respondents:

If you have not been a victim of identity theft yourself, you have probably heard of cases where fraudsters acquire information about another person obtain credit or other services under a falsely assumed identity. But this problem doesn’t apply only to individuals. In recent years, fraudsters have been stealing entire business identities in a scam known as “company hijacking”.

This type of identity theft currently accounts for £50 million of losses for SMEs a year and can have appalling consequences. For example, fraudsters can change the directors of the company and the “new” directors can open bank accounts, have goods delivered to the “new” address, and effectively ruin the credit rating of the business and leave it with large charges.

As in most cases, prevention is better than cure. That’s why NetTrackz has teamed up with leading online business directories, including The Independent, Scoot and AOL, to provide information, that will help UK SMEs protect their identity.

Our first advice to you is to take ownership of the public record of your company by registering it with Companies House… before somebody else does!

It’s very difficult for Companies House to verify if people who want to change information about a company are actually who they say they are. Therefore, it’s crucial that you are the first person to register your own company. After you’ve done that, any applications from fraudsters will be forwarded to you.

To register your business you can use the Companies House free scheme called PROtected Online Filing (PROOF). Please find more information on the Companies House website:

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/infoAndGuide/proof.shtml

Important: Your business could also be in danger of your competitors taking control of how it is represented online. Click here to run a free report that can show you how your business details appear on up to 26 online business directories.

The Team at NetTrackz

In association with Scoot and TouchLocal

The Government has recently passed a new proposal under which Mothers and Fathers will have the opportunity to change the way they take parental leave. TouchLocal carried out a poll amongst a sample of UK SMEs registered on our directory to find out if they support this change in legislation.

The Survey

As a small business owner, do you support the new Government legislation (to be introduced in April) that will allow Mothers and Fathers more flexibility in how they take parental leave?

The Results

Yes:                 400 (34%)
No:                  673 (57%)
Don’t Know:    102 (9%)

*Total responses: 1175

It has recently been revealed that Britain’s largest firms are more confident on spending now than at any point since the start of the credit crunch. TouchLocal carried out a poll amongst a sample of UK SMEs registered on our directory to find out if this sentiment is shared by small to medium sized businesses.

The Survey

Apparently, Britain’s largest firms are more confident now about spending and taking on staff than at any time since the start of the credit crunch. As a small business owner, do you share this outlook?

The Results

Yes: 296 (25%)
No: 781 (66%)
Don’t Know: 121 (9%)

*Total responses: 1198

The businesses who took the survey are all listed on http://touchlocal.com

Summary

Nearly two-thirds of small business respondents (66%) who took the survey do not share the same optimism as their large firm counterparts. Many give a contradictory outlook and are less confident than ever about spending, envisaging that this year will in fact be the hardest since the start of the credit crunch. A quarter of respondents (25%) share this positive outlook, with some businesses experiencing an upturn in revenue or deeming optimism a necessary trait in the business environment. Others however, are positive only due the belief that things cannot get any worse. 9% of respondents believe that the future is too uncertain to establish any upturn in confidence at this moment in time.
See below a selection of comments received from respondents:

• It’s too early to tell. Government policy looks like focusing on large business or encouraging business start ups, but doing nothing or even abandoning existing SME’s
• No Chance, we are at our lowest turnover now.
• Business has improved over the last six months so it feels right to invest in new products and to support that new staff
• Things can only improve
• I think things are still tight as the uncertain future of the ever arising costs
• Business up by 25% since Nov 10 not taking on staff at this point but trade far better
• I certainly hope that this is the case but as with many things of this nature only time will tell. We need to stay positive however, and remember that things never stay the same for long – better times will soon emerge again.
• This year will be more challenging than the last.
• I feel that things could change at a moment’s notice, and I want to keep things tight to weather any storm. I don’t want to be caught out again.
• Too early to say. We’re not out of the woods yet.
• We are small service company working to small businesses. Cash flow very bad, clients cutting back. Considering staff hour’s reductions.
• I feel it is a bit too early to say for my business. Most people I know are still cautious.
• Too early to say how can absorb VAT rise NI rise fuel rises
• With vat at 20% and the Governments major cut backs this is not the time to try and expand.
• There is absolutely no money out there, people were cutting back in November I can see it continue The VAT increase will have little effect on our business and consumer confidence has grown in our sector. Since the election our sales are 14% up and our bank is fully supporting us, a huge difference on the previous year.
• this is the worst it has been
• And I am seeing a more confident outlook from my clients too.
• We’ve already hired 1 new marketer, and are looking to take on 1 web designer and 1 graphic designer later this year!
• As a freight forwarding company we are finding the export market has certainly picked up, we had a great December, and January has started the same way.
• As a business you can’t put things on hold indefinitely, you still need to work and spending is a part of that
• It is still uncertain times for small business. Outlook is good, but cash flow is difficult
• The only way forward is to be positive and it’s working!!!

Issued: 11am – 11/01/2011
Do you have a question for UK businesses? Email kris.lea@touchlocal.com to submit your suggestion.

Whilst drink driving is an issue throughout the year, during the festive period it is regularly in the headlines as it is one of the most common causes of accidents across the UK. Scotland have proposed measures to lower the drink drive limit at the earliest opportunity, with provisions in the Scotland Bill allowing the Scottish Parliament to change the limit north of the border (without involving Westminster). Given the proposals in Scotland, it will be interesting to see if the rest of the UK follows their lead and proposes similar measures moving forward.

Survey Overview
With Scotland planning to reduce the drink driving limit, TouchLocal conducted a poll amongst a sample of UK businesses to see if SMEs would support a complete ban on drink driving in the UK.

The Survey
Following the recent talk of reducing the drink drive limit in Scotland, do you think that drink driving should be banned altogether on UK roads?

The Results

Yes: 621 (58%)
No: 448 (42%)
*Total responses: 1069

The businesses who took the survey are all listed on Touchlocal.com

Summary
Over half of the respondents (58%) feel that drink driving should be banned altogether on UK roads, with feedback including that we should follow other countries by having a zero tolerance policy. 42% felt that there should not be a complete ban, however many commented on how a lower limit (like the proposal in Scotland) would be welcome. Interestingly, respondents from those for and against a complete ban commented on other factors that they felt were equally (or more) dangerous when behind the wheel, such as driving whilst under the influence of drugs.

Selection of comments and suggestions from respondents
• A reduction would be good, but it wouldn’t need to be banned. Drinking while under the influence of drugs should receive higher sentences than they do
• It’s too confusing saying you can drink X amount, just make it illegal from drinking at all then driving
• I don’t think you should drink anything if you intend on driving
• Current limits serve the purpose
• That would be completely impractical
• It will save many lives
• The present law seems to work fine
• This would criminalize the sensible driver who has limited themselves to a glass of wine with their dinner whilst doing nothing to curb the habitual drunk who risks lives by driving when well over the limit
• People have different tolerance levels. However, limits should be lowered and more random stop checks and call lines should be set up
• As long as there are safeguards for people with small amounts of alcohol in their blood the following morning
• Could cause issues for persons on medication that may have alcohol in it
• It would finish off many rural pubs
• I do think something should be done, but a complete ban would kill the country pub!
• More often than not that it is innocent victims that suffer most from drunken drivers so the limit should be lowered nationwide
• Should this become law there would be no margin for error, so perhaps it would cut down on the people who seldom drink and may save them making an irrational judgment
• I believe that more could be done to educate drivers on drink/driving as I firmly believe that at least half of the drivers prosecuted honestly think that they are under the limit. Breathalyzers in Pubs and Clubs would reduce the numbers of drink/driving offences
• We are too strict on this. More people die from falling off a ladder than drink driving FACT keep it as it is and raise drinking age to 22
• If someone has had any alcohol in previous 24 hours, it will show up on a test. Sensible people stick to below the limit and most will not drink if they are driving. However to deny a person one glass of wine with a meal seems ridiculous, considering that the majority of people are killed in accidents that do not involve alcohol and some of the alcohol related accidents are drunk pedestrians as well. Those who drink and drive will probably not be deterred from doing so, as they already flout the law. Of course Scotland has its own problem with drink which is very severe. They should concentrate more on prosecuting landlords who serve people who are intoxicated and this may well save more lives and prolong others rather than denying the vast majority of responsible citizens who might like to enjoy a glass of wine with a meal
• I think it’s hard to determine when you have had your quota and therefore it would be much simpler just to ban drinking totally
• It is unworkable and immoral to catch people the morning after. However the existing limit should be enforced more rigorously
• We have a respected law in this country, respected by the huge majority who see drink driving as a serious, anti-social crime. There is no need for a lower limit but it is now time to give the police the ability to carry out random tests and more of them. In France 64% of all motorists have been tested for alcohol in the last 3 years, in Holland it is 63%. In the UK it is 9%. Just not good enough
• Other countries, especially those with dark winters (Scandinavia) have lower limits. The UK has a drink problem and making drinking and driving even more difficult may help reduce the problem. Losing your driving license is career threatening
• As a trainer to those who have lost their driving license due to drink & the state I see them in, I am in support of this! Attitudes of drink drivers are dreadful & they seem to take it quite lightly (an excuse to drink themselves stupid once they have lost their license) unless they have killed someone in the process. I have worked in Sweden & everyone is much more thoughtful!
• Having a low sensible limit is manageable. Having a zero limit will encourage people who have only one drink to continue as they will already be over the limit. It will also decimate rural/country pubs where they are reliant on car driving customers
• Rural pubs will go out of business
• Too many people drive after ’1 or 2′ not realizing that they reaction times and ability to drive can still be impaired especially if they are tired or haven’t eaten well. Save lives and stop anyone drinking while driving – there is no need to drink then drive and it might encourage people to help the environment and their local community by taking public transport
• Other countries have a zero tolerance on drink driving so should UK
• Empower people so they can think for themselves

Issued by TouchLocal 14:19 – 08/12/10

Scoot’s parent company TouchLocal are conducting weekly polls to UK SMEs. These polls are undertaken so business owners have a forum where they can share their thoughts on business, economic and general developments that may well have an impact on their operation.

As the ‘Voice of Local SMEs’, TouchLocal will circulate poll results and feedback with appropriate news publishers and websites.

About TouchLocal

TouchLocal are experts in connecting local businesses with local consumers, each and every day. The TouchLocal online business directory, www.touchlocal.com, offers blanket UK coverage and contains over 2 million business listings. It attracts 4 million unique visitors a month who in-turn undertake 6 million searches for local businesses. TouchLocal also enables users to review and rate businesses they have used, so local people can make an informed choice based on the feedback of others.

Reviews can be added to any business on Scoot.co.uk using a Scoot account or Facebook login.

To create a Scoot account simply visit the following link www.scoot.co.uk/register.html

How to add a review

• Search for the business you would like to review using the who/what and where boxes on Scoot.co.uk
• Click on the review tab
• Add your review using the form provided
• Submit your review by entering your Scoot or Facebook email address and password
• Your review will go live immediately

With the Scoot iPhone App and iPad App you can find information about local suppliers of products and services wherever you are.

Scoot iPhone App

Scoot is one of the UK’s leading online directories that gives you all the information you need about local businesses. Now, with the Scoot iPhone App and iPad App that information will always be at your fingertips.

We Have Just Been Voted a Staff Pick by the Staff at Apple

Scoot iPad App in the Apple Staff Picks

Scoot have just launched the all new Scoot iPhone App and the UK`s first iPad Business Finder App. We have listened to the many user requests from our previous iPhone app and have included all of the features that were requested. These include the all new Free Text Search which covers most of the problems people found with the previous versions.

Scoot iPhone App Free Text Search

The Free Text Search allows users to bypass the iPhone and iPad Geo-location and search for anything anywhere. However with the new Apple Software and hardware releases the Geo-Location service is now better than ever so the Find Your Nearest feature is getting better and better.

One other problem some of our users came across was when they wanted to visit the business website or to see the business on a map, they had to leave the Scoot App. In version 1.2 of the iPhone and iPad App this is no longer an issue. We have introduced the In App Browsing feature which allows users to browse a business website see the products and services they need then go straight back to the business listing in the App and view the business on a map or just call them direct from the App (iPhone only).

But it doesn`t stop there

As with all companies who are at the forefront of their field we have add many more fantastic features.

To give our users a more friendly experience we have vastly improved the user interface and have included a Save Your Favourites feature which allows users to find their favourite businesses, special offers or points of interest to a special folder accessible from anywhere in the App. We have also introduced the Recent Searches List which allows users to review thier recent searches, great if you have found a supurb restaurant then search for a taxi to get you there but forget the name of the restaurant. The Points Of Interest feature has brought together a whole range of businesses. These businesses include places to visit such as Parks, Museums and Theme Parks excellent for a day out or even a spontaneous descision to go out and have some fun. Adding an business Icon to the App homepage has been made much easier with the Alphabetical search. if you want to add Mcdonalds just press M, pressing C will get you businesses like Currys, Costa Coffee, Cinemas and Chemists.

Finally we have added two more features that will give our users a more useful App. We have included the Where Am I search which will give the user the up to date geo-location data being used by the Scoot App as provided by the iPhone or iPad. We have also added a new way for people to add a business to our directory. Using the Camera function of the iPhone users can take a photo of the business through the Scoot iPhone App, this get`s sent to Scoot and we will do the rest.

So if you own an iPhone or iPad and are in the UK, even if your just visiting, why not try downloading the Scoot iPhone App or Scoot iPad App.

Over 2 million searches are made for local businesses on Scoot and its network of directories every month – make sure your business is one of them.

Click here to check your free business listing on Scoot.co.uk

You can add a website link and a special offer to your listing completely FREE of charge. Both of these will help to drive even more customers to your business.

You can add a website link and a special offer to your listing completely FREE of charge. Both of these will help to drive even more customers to your business.

Update your listing today and get your share of the 2 million monthly searches for businesses just like yours.

Following Google’s completion of their Street View coverage in the UK, each business with an enhanced listing on Scoot, the online business finder, can now display to potential clients an exact location view of their business premises.

The Google Street View addition to Scoot’s products gives businesses a unique way to attract clients, allowing them to view the business premises and its locale. With Street View being an interactive window into the location of the business, the clients can navigate around the area finding places to park, the nearest tube station or bus stop or even local amenities.

In another move to make the business finder an even more attractive proposition to both the companies who advertise and their users, Scoot has also increased the gallery size allowed on their enhanced listings. Now any advertiser who decides to upgrade their listing can include up to 10 images in their gallery, increasing the previous amount by over 100%.