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This page highlights a selection of the publications added to the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) Publications pages in the last few weeks, and is updated on a regular basis.

There are over 4,000 publications available through this website.

  • SME business barometer: February 2012

    SME business barometer: February 2012

    URN: 12/P75B

    Publication date: 8 May 2012

    February 2012 report on a series of surveys among small and medium-sized (SME) employer enterprises across the UK. The survey assesses how well or badly small businesses are performing, their needs, concerns and barriers to growth. Highlights changes in the findings between the waves of the Business Barometer, and the larger small business surveys, that are statistically significant.

  • Textile labelling regulations: guidance on the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012

    Textile labelling regulations: guidance on the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012

    URN: 12/791

    Publication date: 8 May 2012

    Guidance notes for business on EU and UK textile labelling regulations. Defines common terms and explains descriptions for wool and other textile products.

  • Enterprising Britain 2012 Awards: toolkit

    Enterprising Britain 2012 Awards: toolkit

    URN: 12/768

    Publication date: 4 May 2012

    Explains how to apply for the Enterprising Britain 2012 award, a nationwide competition to find the most enterprising place in the UK. Provides an overview of the award, guidelines and entry criteria, and the entry form. See also URN 12/769 for frequently asked questions.

  • Department for Business, Innovation and Skills structural reform plan monthly implementation update: April 2012

    Department for Business, Innovation and Skills structural reform plan monthly implementation update: April 2012

    URN: 12/P104D

    Publication date: 4 May 2012

    Report on progress towards the Department's commitments in its business plan, including structural reform. See the draft structural reform plan (10/1086).

  • State aid: frequently asked questions

    State aid: frequently asked questions

    URN: 12/747

    Publication date: 4 May 2012

    Answers frequently asked questions about state aid rules. Includes basic and also more detailed information on state aid terminology. State aid occurs when an authority grants public resources to selected entities which are engaged in economic activities. See also URN 12/746 for guidance on the General Block Exemption Regulation.

  • Government response to call for evidence: EU proposals on alternative dispute resolution

    Government response to call for evidence: EU proposals on alternative dispute resolution

    URN: 12/674

    Publication date: 4 May 2012

    Analyses responses from UK stakeholders to the call for evidence on EU proposals on alternative dispute resolution (URN 11/1372). Also provides the Government response for each question. The proposals aim to improve the availability and accessibility of the use of out-of-court dispute resolution schemes for contractual disputes between consumers and business.

  • Conformity assessment and accreditation policy in the United Kingdom

    Conformity assessment and accreditation policy in the United Kingdom

    URN: 12/759

    Publication date: 4 May 2012

    High level statement of the Government’s policy on conformity assessment and accreditation. Sets the Government's policy principles and how the Government will apply them. Intended for Government departments.

  • First findings from the UK innovation survey 2011

    First findings from the UK innovation survey 2011

    URN: 12/P107

    Publication date: 3 May 2012

    Report on results from the UK innovation survey 2011 which covers the three-year period 2008-2010. Aims to provide information for policy and research purposes, giving insights into the innovation process. Covers why and how companies innovate, their information sources, how they protect their innovations and the barriers they come across.

  • Monthly statistics of building materials and components. Commentary: April 2012

    Monthly statistics of building materials and components. Commentary: April 2012

    URN: 12/P125D

    Publication date: 2 May 2012

    Explains the data published in the 'Monthly statistics of building materials and components' (URN 12/313D).

  • Sunday trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) - assessment

    Sunday trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) - assessment

    URN: 12/763

    Publication date: 1 May 2012

    Assesses the evidence on the impact of options on the temporary suspension of Sunday Trading restrictions during the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games: 22 July to 9 September 2012. Includes an equality impact assessment.

  • English business survey statistical release: February 2012

    English business survey statistical release: February 2012

    URN: 12/P139C

    Publication date: 26 Apr 2012

    Background information about the English business survey (EBS), summary tables of the survey results and an explanation of how to interpret the data. See the related data tables (12/P132E) and other guidance on reading the tables and survey background and methodology URNs 12/598 and 12/600 to 12/602X.

  • Common myths when employing someone for the first time

    Common myths when employing someone for the first time

    URN: 12/752

    Publication date: 25 Apr 2012

    Dispels common misconceptions about taking somebody on if you are a first-time employer.

  • Trade union membership 2011

    Trade union membership 2011

    URN: 12/P77

    Publication date: 25 Apr 2012

    Ninth annual report analysing estimates of trade union membership from the labour force surveys up to the fourth quarter of 2011 for both employees and all workers. Estimates are presented on the proportion (density) of people in employment who are trade union members, and for employees whose pay and conditions are affected by collective agreements. Data from the tables in this publication is available in a machine processable format on the Transparency/Report Data webpage.

  • Private actions in competition law: a consultation on options for reform

    Private actions in competition law: a consultation on options for reform

    URN: 12/742

    Publication date: 24 Apr 2012

    Respond by 24 July 2012. Consultation seeking views on how to empower consumers and small businesses to challenge anti-competitive behaviour and secure redress. The consultation looks at how to establish the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) as a major venue for competition actions in the UK, and introduce an opt-out collective actions regime for competition law. It also covers measures to promote Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and to ensure private actions complement the public enforcement regime. See URN 12/743 for the related impact assessment.

  • Science and engineering assurance review of the Department for International Development (DFID): DFID response

    Science and engineering assurance review of the Department for International Development (DFID): DFID response

    URN: 12/697

    Publication date: 20 Apr 2012

    Response from the Department for International Development (DFID) to the recommendations in a science and engineering assurance review of the Department (URN 11/1260). Includes a response to the Science and Technology Committee (Commons) inquiry into building scientific capacity in developing countries.