Business costs set to rise in 2010

The cost of running a small business is set to increase in 2010 as a result of rising commodity prices, it has been reported. According to More Than's Business Inflation Guide, costs increased by 0.6 per cent during the third quarter of 2009 and this trend is likely to be continued into the new year.

The guide found that 12 of the 20 most important expenditure items for small companies rose in price during Q3 2009. While outgoings may be set to rise, More Than Business said the results were positive in the sense that they pointed towards an economic recovery. However they did note that it would be extremely important for company owners to manage cash flow carefully as suppliers begin to push prices up again.

The Confederation of British Industry has predicted this week that the UK economy is set to emerge from recession during the final quarter of the year. The business organisation said growth would be restored to the economy by the end of 2009, but a rapid economic recovery was highly unlikely.

APA