European tax table slip for UK

The UK has fallen down the rankings for Europe's best tax environment, according to recent statistics.

The European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association's (EVCA) latest report found that the UK was now fourth in the rankings - down from third.

France, the Republic of Ireland and Belgium made up the top three of the table, which measures countries by the ease with which business can be done in them.

The secretary general for the EVCA, Javier Echarri, said: "Several European countries have shown good progress in the past two years in improving the environment for private equity capital."

He added that those countries which have slipped down the rankings, such as the UK, should take it as a warning sign that their economic health is in jeopardy.

Factors such as fiscal and tax incentives, and the environment in which limited companies could operate, were taken into account when conducting this year's investigation.

An insurance expert from comparethemarket.com last week advised businesses to ensure that they were fully-covered by their liability insurance.