Questions & Answers

A. New research shows that 80% of businesses are suffering the same problem - and it's not just the big firms that are slow to pay - SMEs are equally to blame. Late payment can be the result of chasing outstanding amounts regardless of the likelihood of actually being paid. So as a first step it makes sense to credit check both new and existing customers. Once you have issued a bill, you should make sure you have in place a collection process that is operated consistently and firmly. This will often be enough to significantly shorten payment times. You could also consider credit insurance. This can be stand-alone or attached to an invoice finance facility. And to avoid running out of cash as the recovery gets under way, you could consider putting in place flexible funding to underpin growth. This would reduce your reliance on customers paying promptly.

A. Yes, the government recently announced that the not-for-profit sector - such as charities and other voluntary organisations - would no longer be exempt from the requirement to obtain a PPL licence. Since April 2010 a charity must obtain a licence from PPL for using recorded music. You can find out more on the PPL website at http://www.ppluk.com/en/Music-Users/Information-for-Charities

A. You might consider the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme, set up in January 2009 by the government to help SMEs to get bank funding where they have a viable business case, but no or insufficient security.  The scheme was originally set to run until March 2010 but has been extended to March 2011 in recognition of the continuing challenges facing businesses.  The scheme gives lenders a government-backed guarantee for 75 per cent of the loan value.  Businesses with an annual turnover of up to £25 million are eligible to apply for loans of between £1,000 and £1 million, repayable over a maximum period of ten years.  In return for the guarantee, the government charges an annual premium of two per cent per annum on the outstanding balance of the loan.  More details are available on the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) website: http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/enterprise/finance/efg/page50308.html

A. As a first step you could make sure that all your product labelling makes it clear that your ranges do not contain these colours.  You can also get details of your products included in a list on the Food Standards Agency website - this makes information about your products available to a potentially huge audience, including independent retailers who might be searching for just such a product range to stock.  The Agency regularly updates the list and has separate sections for caterers, manufacturers and retailers whose products are free from the six colours.  You can include the name of the business and the name of the colour-free product ranges.  The Food Standards Agency website contains further information at http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/chemsafe/additivesbranch/colours/colourfree

A. The best place to start is the Integrated Tariff of the United Kingdom - usually referred to as the Tariff. This is a three volume guide that not only provides general information about trading internationally, but also contains details of the commodity codes that are assigned for import/export purposes to each type of product. There are around 16,000 commodity codes. Once you have established the commodity code for your particular product you can also find details of the duty payable when you import the goods and whether or not you require a licence. The Tariff also includes guidance on completing the relevant paperwork. The Businesslink website contains advice on importing generally as well as on how to use the Tariff. You can also use the online UK Trade Tariff tool to find the appropriate commodity code for your goods. The address is www.businesslink.gov.uk. Search for the tool in the International Trade section.

A. No. There is currently no statutory right for an employee to have time off for fertility treatment.  However, many businesses are keen to support those employees who are trying for a family and are prepared to allow them time off, provided the employee provides the appropriate medical documentation.  For example you might decide to give an employee one week leave per treatment cycle, up to a maximum of three weeks.  It is up to you whether or not this is paid or unpaid leave and whether anything over and above this would need to come out of their annual holiday entitlement.  You could also consider flexible working arrangements or a temporary reduction in their contractual hours as a way of accommodating time off for appointments.  If the treatment has an adverse effect so that a doctor certifies that the employee is unfit to work, then this is dealt with through the normal sick leave procedures.

Whatever your company decides to allow employees in respect of time off for fertility treatment, it is wise to put it in writing as a formal policy so that all employees are treated fairly and consistently and know what they can expect.