ISME: Inflation must be brought to 2%

Independent business organisation ISME says inflation must be brought down to 2% and that small businesses are still facing "serious cost increases" despite news of December's 4.7% reduction in inflation.

A statement form the group read: "The latest figures provide little comfort to already overstretched small businesses. While the headline rate of inflation has reduced, this is masking the true level of business costs, which are rising at an alarming rate."