Money Box Live: Small business finance

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BBC Radio 4's Money Box Live

Wednesday, 20 January 2010 at 1502 BST On Radio 4 and Online

Listen to the programme

Programme transcript (21 pages)

On Wednesday's Money Box Live, Vincent Duggleby took your questions about small business finance and put them to a panel of experts.

2010 has already brought some challenges for the UK's 4.8m small businesses.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) estimate that the recent bad weather cost the UK economy at least £600m a day. Many small companies were forced to close, lost business and saw supplies dwindle.

A further New Year challenge has been the return of the VAT rate from 15 per cent to 17.5 per cent on January 1, which could result in added costs of around £350m for small firms, according to the FSB.

Brighter news has come from British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarter 4 2009 Economic Survey, which said that although the economy is struggling to enter the recovery phase, we are on the brink of leaving recession.

How is your business coping? If you need help or advice managing your business why not contact the programme.

What are your options if you are finding it hard to balance your budget?

Can you negotiate with your bank if your overdraft and loan costs are increasing?

What are your rights if customers are failing, or taking longer, to pay?

Or perhaps you would like to start up a business?

How can you obtain financial help or advice and at what cost?

Perhaps you want to ask about tax rates and allowances, national insurance or VAT.

What are the pros and cons of becoming a limited company?

Or maybe you have a question about running your company from home?

Whatever your question, Vincent Duggleby and guests were ready to help.

Vincent Duggleby was joined by: