Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to make a concession for entrepreneurs on his capital gains tax (CGT) reforms, by introducing a lower rate.

Small businesses may be ousted by larger companies come the arrival of the 2012 Olympics, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said yesterday.

Female graduates who pursue entrepreneurship rather than a job after graduating will have more options, according to graduate and undergraduate advice service, Flying Start.

The work-life balance agenda is becoming increasingly important to both graduates and company directors of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), new research shows.

The government has been accused of fiddling with company start-up statistics in an attempt to mask concerns over the business climate.

Company directors of small start-up businesses can benefit from having a virtual office because it allows them to present a more reassuring image to prospective new clients, according to business services provider, The Virtual Office.

Company directors who are self-employed must ensure they have life insurance because they are "responsible for all of their own benefits", according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Increasing numbers of olderpreneurs - company directors over the age of 50 - are establishing new business start-ups, according to non-profit organisation Prime.

Uncertainty about whether or not the government will introduce capital gains tax (CGT) changes has led many company directors and entrepreneurs to consider selling their businesses, according to the CBI.

Business company directors, the self employed and anyone else with "more complicated tax affairs" should make sure they meet the deadline at the end of this month for the self assessment tax returns, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said yesterday.