Weekly Brief 40 – Friday 9 October 2015
The FSB reacts to surprise announcement on business rates
Chancellor for the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced at the Conservative Party Conference that councils would be able to retain business rates. The FSB responded to the surprise announcement and said this presents a huge opportunity for local authorities and business to work together to boost local growth, develop a fairer tax system and create the jobs of the future. They also warned of challenges and the need to ensure small firms are not short-changed.
Members quiz Minister Anna Soubry at FSB event
The FSB hosted its Small Business Question Time event at Conservative Party Conference last week and were delighted to welcome Small Business Minister Anna Soubry MP as the keynote political speaker, who discussed key small business priorities alongside FSB Policy Director Mike Cherry. Isabel Oakeshott, the former political editor of The Sunday Times, hosted the event, which took place in Manchester Town Hall. There were over 100 attendees, half of which were local FSB members, who had the opportunity to direct their questions and concerns to Anna Soubry MP. Key topics raised included the likely impact of the National Living Wage and changes on the tax treatment of dividends on small businesses, as well as skills in the workplace and apprenticeships.Live tweeting of the event gained high levels of engagement.
Prime Minister addresses Conservative Party Conference
The FSB commented on Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. John Allan, National Chairmanfor the FSB, said: “We are also pleased to see Mr Cameron put boosting house building high on the agenda. Delivering more homes must be a priority for the nation, and we call on the Government to help small house builders to play their part in that effort. Small businesses will now look to the Government to deliver its promise for a pro-enterprise agenda to support growth and ambition.”
FSB reacts to decision on UK interest rates
The Bank of England decided to leave interest rates on hold at 0.5% this week. The FSB said this is the right decision in light of FSB research showing business confidence is cooling. Looking ahead, small firms will be facing an array of changes including pension auto enrolment, the National Living Wage and changes to the tax on dividends. Small businesses need stability in this constantly shifting landscape.
Small businesses invited to attend FSB event in Aberdeen
Following our recent engagement at the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences, the FSB will again be hosting its flagship Small Business Question Time event at SNP Party Conference in Aberdeen next week. FSB Policy Director Mike Cherry and Andy Willox OBE, FSB Scottish Policy Convenor, will discuss key small business priorities alongside Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners' Rights. The event will also see FSB Scotland’s new manifesto ahead of the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections raised. The discussion will be hosted by ErikkaAskeland, Business Editor, The Press and Journal. The FSB will be attending all other major party conferences during this period.
Tesco announces improvement to payment practices
FSB welcomed Tesco’s improvement to payment practices this week which will see terms for its smallest suppliers reduced to 14 days. John Allan, National Chairmanfor the FSB, said: “We are pleased to see Tesco has listened to our arguments, and made improvements to its payment practices towards its smaller suppliers. We hope today’s announcement will go some way to easing the pressure on the supply chain and that other big companies will make similar changes to their payment terms.” This has gained a lot of engagement on Facebook.
Importance of work experience highlighted
The FSB commented in an article in The Times on the importance of work experience. The FSB said work experience is a useful way for students to get a feel for the workplace and better understand which skills are required. Over 85 per cent of small firms cite work experience as a key determinant when recruiting.
FSB conducts poll on National Living Wage
Following the announcement of a new National Living Wage for the over 25s in Spring budget, an FSB survey of members has found well over a third (38%) of small employers expect the new National Living Wage of £7.20 an hour to negatively impact their business when it comes into force in April 2016. Many small firms are planning to slow job creation, raise prices or postpone or cancel planned investments to compensate for the higher statutory rate.This gained coverage in The Times, Daily Telegraph,Daily Express, Daily Mail,
SMEs and the EU Digital Single Market
The House of Lords Internal Market Sub-Committee launched an inquiry intoonline platforms and the EU Digital Single Market.In order to ensure that the Committee hears directly from small businesses about the benefits and problems created by online platforms, the Committee would like to host a small workshop to meet with SME’s to discuss their experiences. If you would like to be invited to attend this workshop, please email: . Businesses will be required to submit a one page note their experiences, which would then be submitted as formal evidence to the inquiry. Anonymity can be provided on request.
Work Experience Week 12 – 16 October
The week of the 12-16 October has been designated work experience week (#WEWeek2015), celebrating successes and opportunities around work experience. It is organised by Fair Train, a national charity that owns the National Work Experience Quality Standard accreditation. We would encourage small businesses to take part in this celebration. FSB research shows 86% of small firms cite work experience as the most valuable factor when making recruitment decisions. National careers website Success at School is offering a free opportunity for businesses to advertise available work experience.
Media opportunity for SMEs with regulation trouble
A media outlet is looking to talk to small businesses that would like to expand but are unable to due to red tape. The red tape can be in any area. If you fulfil this criteria and are interested in talking to the media, email your contact details and brief outline of the problems you are experiencing to
Time is running out to apply for a Broadband Connection Voucher
The window to apply for Broadband Connection Vouchers, which are used to subsidise the cost of installing superfast broadband in small businesses, isclosing soon. Applications should be made as soon as possible on the Connection Voucher Scheme website.
Changes to ‘Right to Work’ legislation
Recent changes in legislation have imposed additional responsibilities on employers to ensure all employees have the ‘Right to Work’ in the UK. Even unintentional breaches could attract penalties of up to £20,000 per illegal employee. To ensure you’re up-to-date with legislative changes and for more information visit If you need assistance in conducting ‘Right to Work’ checks click here.