CBI's warning.

Firms are entering 2006 in a state of unease as major decisions loom on the economy, pensions and energy, business lobby group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned.

The CBI claimed British jobs and competitiveness were at stake amid uncertainty as companies wait for the Government to clarify its intentions on these key issues.

It also warned a "sizeable" deficit in the Treasury's accounts could lead to another tax raid on business following the recent levy on the oil industry.

Sleepless nights

BAD publicity, computer failure and loss of key staff are among the main worries likely to keep the region's small business owners awake at night in 2006.

That is the conclusion of research into risk management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW).

Break-ins, bad debts and the failure of a major supplier are also identified among the situations smaller firms fear most as having the biggest impact on their business.

Those questioned by the ICAEW said they understood the importance of brand and reputation, placing this issue high in the list of business risks seen as the main threats to survival and growth.

Index on a high

STOCK watchers hailed an "exceptional year" for the London market yesterday after the FTSE 100 Index rose 16.7% and shares outperformed house prices for the first time since 1999.

Expectations at the start of the year had been for a modest rise of 6%, but soaring commodity prices drove the market higher while a rush of takeover activity also contributed to ensure a close for the year of 5618.8.

The index was at a four-and-a-half year high for much of the last week, fuelling expectations it could break the 6,000 barrier in 2006.

Full story: Pages 46&47

Intel overhaul

THE world's biggest chipmaker, Intel, is set to launch an overhaul of its brand next week.

The US giant will replace its current slogan ( "Intel Inside" ( with the phrase "Leap Ahead". Intel says it wants to re-position itself as providing the technology behind many digital products, not just PCs.