Business groups and advisers have broadly welcomed the gentle increase in Capital Gains Tax (CGT), but will it hurt or trigger deals activity? For a more in-depth look at CGT, Insider editor Michael Taylor tests the reaction in his Deals in Focus blog. Click here to read and comment.

Merseyside umbrella services company I-paye, which was ranked seventh in the Sunday Times Fast Track 2009, has opened a new office in Scotland. The Prescot-headquartered business said its new Glasgow office was the next stage of its ambitious growth plans. Gaynor McGrail, co-founder and managing director, said: “We are aiming to double the size of the business over the next three years, which should be possible thanks to being well positioned with an extensive customer base and a range of tailored products.”

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Property professionals in the North West have been giving their reaction to some of the measures outlined in yesterday’s emergency Budget. Mark Rawstron, senior regional director at GVA Grimley, welcomed the lack of stamp duty increase, while Nolan Redshaw’s Mike Redshaw said the reduction in corporation tax should help stimulate business and result in increased occupier demand. Roger Tunnicliffe, head of Lambert Smith Hampton in Manchester, added that the REIT dividend treatment confirmation and the scrapping of backdated business rates on ports would also going to provide encouragement for the industry.