Looking at the small business environment in the UK Direct Line has found that nearly a quarter of people running small businesses will not enjoy a day off on bank Holiday Monday.
Compared with the minimum 20 days holiday entitlement given to employees, small business owners take an average of just over 13 days holiday per year. The 20 days does not include Bank Holidays either, of which there are 8 each year. Looking at new start up businesses the holiday situation is even worse. Direct Line found that over 65 percent of people in business for less than 6 months have not taken any time off at all.
A Direct Line spokeswoman, commenting on the findings, commended the dedication shown by small business owners, seeing them working so hard to make their business a success.
The bad news of England not qualifying for the Euro 2008 Championships is tempered by the fact that, according to the Abbey National, the average British football fan will have saved over GBP550 by England not being there.
The Abbey National survey found that around 1.8 million consumers were considering buying a new television towatch England play n Euro 2008, with nearly 2.3 million spending nearly GBP150 per person on football kit, flags, hats and so on. Celebrating victories or drowning sorrows was also planned for, with nearly GBP100 per person earmarked for alcohol at home plus a further GBP135 spent at the pub.
A spokesman for Abbey National empathised with the England supporters who would be missing out on a potentially great tournament but felt that the silver lining of saving so much money would make it all bearable. And of course it also means England will not be knocked out on penalties as usual.
A recent study by the Alliance and Leicester has found that almost three quarters of UK adults are cutting back on spending as they deal with the rising costs of living in Great Britain.
The view of around 35 percent of those surveyed by Alliance and Leicester is that their disposable income is decreasing, and will continue to do so as they watch fuel, food and general household bills move ever upwards. Sacrifices are being made in clothes shopping, with nearly 40 percent of people saying they will be reducing their spending, followed by socialising, with around 36 percent of respondents cutting back.
An Alliance and Leicester spokesperson said that the majority of people are feeling things are getting harder now, adding that it is good to see the people of the UK being aware of the situation and doing something about it rather than ignoring what is happening.
