Firms focusing on energy-awareness during downturn

Date: 26th January 2009

Small businesses are increasingly focusing on environmental-awareness and energy-efficiency during the economic downturn.

That's according to the Federation of Small Businesses, which believes that organisations are looking for new ways to save money as the recession heats up.

A spokeswoman for the group said: "Small business owners tend to make more of an effort to be environmentally-friendly in terms of cutting down on fuel and electricity costs, recycling and investing in insulation and low-energy light bulbs."

She added that small businesses - including limited companies - should concentrate on investing in staff and training during the economic downturn.

A recent investigation by Opus Energy found that over a third of businesses are looking to cut their expenditure on advertising and corporate travel.

Small firms should also keep in the mind the upcoming deadline for self-assessment tax returns, as all submissions are due online to HM Revenue and Customs by January 31st.