A small business pressure group has criticised the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) for spending time and money trying to dispel myths, when it should be reviewing the unnecessary red tape being created in its name. The Forum of Private Business (FSB) hit out after the HSE published its first ‘Myth of the Month' cartoon, created to try and get the message home that they haven't banned the use of stepladders.

A new, less flexible tax penalty system will hit businesses that break the rules even harder, warns a specialist adviser.

Following extensive consultation with the construction industry, the new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM 2007) come in to force on Friday April 6 2007. The Government claims they will make it easier for duty holders to comply with the requirements, they simplify and clarify existing Regulations.

The UK Construction Industry will be the subject of a wide-ranging Parliamentary inquiry by the Trade and Industry Committee.

A leading law firm is warning construction firms that they must ensure eastern European workers are given adequate training in health and safety legislation or face serious punishment.

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is calling for support from MPs for a Parliamentary move opposing changes to new health and safety regulations for companies having building work carried out.

The Conservatives will oppose the hike in small companies’ corporation tax announced in last week’s Budget and pledge to cut the rate if elected.

With the new Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) going live in two weeks' time, contractors are being urged by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to make sure that they can hit the ground running.

The response of the nation’s construction SMEs to Gordon Brown’s Budget speech has been mixed with disappointment that while the Budget decreased corporation tax by 2p for big companies, it was raised by a similar amount for small firms.

The basic rate of corporation tax and income tax will both fall from April next year. The Chancellor reduced corporation tax from 30 to 28 percent but announced that the corporation tax for smaller companies will be raised from 20p this year to 22p in 2009. Here are the key points from the Budget.