Federation of Small Businesses Archive

Small businesses believe that a lack of consumer confidence will pose a significant challenge to their business in the coming 12 months, according to the latest findings of a the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) snap poll as it revives its Keep Trade Local campaign.

FSB: A budget to restore confidence and growth for small businesses

Small businesses must now seize the Chancellor’s wide ranging package of measures to support the economy.

Horsemeat scandal prompts FSB to encourage shoppers to trade local

Many FSB members that own butchers shops have reported a dramatic increase in sales following the discovery of horsemeat in some UK food products. The FSB now wants consumers to shop in their independent retailers and has re-launched its Keep Trade Local campaign to highlight the importance of small firms to the local community. Read the press release and coverage on the Huffington Post. The FSB is encouraging people to send images of them using independent retailers on Twitter and Facebook, and is hosting the images on Tumblr. Read more small business news here.

FSB unveils legal process to help members get redress for mis-sold swaps

Following the publication of the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) pilot study showing that around 90 per cent of firms had been mis-sold complex financial products, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has put a process in place which aims to deliver help and advice to those firms affected.

Chancellor and Business Secretary to address FSB Annual Dinner

The Chancellor and the Business Secretary will both speak to guests tonight (5 February) at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Annual Chairman’s Dinner. In his final speech as National Chairman, John Walker will tell delegates that during what has been a momentous week for the banking sector that he is pleased reforms to the banking sector seem to be moving in the right direction.

FSB demands action from the banks now to compensate thousands of small businesses caught up in swaps mis-selling

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said that the banks need to take swift and decisive action to compensate the businesses caught up in the mis-selling scandal, after the Financial Services Authority (FSA) reports that 90 per cent of these complex products were mis-sold.

FSB lobbying win in pub industry and other small business news

The FSB has been campaigning for 10 years on the unfair deal between Pub Companies and tenants, as well as for a statutory code backed up by an independent adjudicator in the Pub Company industry.

FSB Cautious optimism heading into 2013

The Latest 'Voice of Small Business' Index shows small firms are displaying cautious optimism heading into the New Year and a greater level of confidence compared to the same time last year. Read the press release, view the infographic and coverage in City AM, on BBC and listen to National Policy Chairman, Mike Cherry talk to the Today Programme (16m 20s). We also held a breakfast with politicians in the House of Commons which was attended by 11 MPs and Peers, as well as a number of other interested organisations, including a senior representative from the British Bankers Association.

FSB research indicates growth ahead for 2013

Small firms cautiously optimistic heading into 2013 as they look to invest and more access finance.

The FSB has welcomed the fall in unemployment by 82,000 to 2.51 million

Unemployment falls yet again, FSB increases pressure on FSA to resolve mis-selling scandal, Cabinet Ministers discuss FSB response to Autumn Statement, Energy Bill welcomed, and more.

A tough time ahead but we’re on the right road for small business growth, says FSB

Commenting on today’s Autumn Statement John Walker, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said: “We welcome today’s statement and we are encouraged by the Chancellors’ acknowledgement that small businesses need more help. We accept that bold actions are needed to boost the economy and we hope we are on the right road to helping small firms. The Chancellor has listened to many of our members’ concerns, and has put forward proposals to address these issues."

FSB calls for 'small business package' for growth in the Autumn Statement

In its Autumn Statement submission to the Chancellor, the FSB has called for a 'small business package' to be put in place to help small businesses grow, and to be fully delivered at Budget 2013. It is calling for the fuel duty rise to be scrapped and for the Business Bank to lead the way for a Small Business Administration. Read the press release and view the submission and coverage in the Financial Times, The Independent, the Evening Standard, the Daily Telegraph, City AM, Financial Mail and Aldermore.

FSB concerned at cost to small firms after flooding hits parts of the UK

FSB National Chairman meets businesses in York devastated by the latest flooding and calls for better insurance cover. Small firms need insurance protection against flooding as the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) raises concerns that many businesses in high-risk flood areas cannot get adequate insurance cover and will have to pay out themselves to repair damage.

FSB comment on Energy Bill, regulation, tax, and more

Nick Clegg's plan could harm small businesses, and other news from the FSB

The Federation of Small Businesses asks whether Nick Clegg's flexible working plan could harm small firms, expresses concerns over the new CEO of the British Bankers' Association, invites small businesses to share which regulations they find most burdensome, and more.

FSB on the top ten most burdensome regulations, the living wage, NICs, and more

Top ten regulations to cut, the living wage, National Insurance Contributions and the definition of an apprenticeship were all keeping the FSB busy last week. Read more here.

FSB: Mis-selling trial could have been avoided

Listen to the Today Programme (54m) discuss figures from the FSB's 'Voice of Small Business' survey panel which show that a quarter of small firms are unaware that there will be a major change to the way they run their payroll, known as Real Time Information, in six months time. Only 16 per cent were aware of the changes and 60 per cent have had no communication from HMRC. Opposition MPs Toby Perkins and Liam Byrne joined our call for better communication on Twitter. Read the press release, view the results and read coverage in the Financial Times, This is Money and on the BBC.

FSB discovers a quarter of businesses are unaware of the biggest change to PAYE for 60 years

In the first survey of its kind, the FSB has uncovered a serious lack of communication between the Government and small firms. For example, 25% never heard of RTI, despite it being critical to the success of Universal Credit.

FSB comment on GDP increase in Q3

The FSB has welcomed the news that the economy grew by one per cent in the third quarter, but is warning that to sustain recovery we need to extend the National Insurance Contributions holiday to all micro firms across the UK.

FSB: Government pledge on energy contracts must be extended to micro-firms

The FSB has called for proposals to see plans for the big six energy companies to put their customers on the cheapest tariff extended to micro-businesses. However, we are concerned that there is a risk that energy companies could fix the price and erode what little competition there is in the market. Read the comment and coverage in Business Green, Bloomberg, and The Guardian. Also read a report in the Independent which highlights the issues small firms have with energy contracts.

Small firms could be left in the red by the Green Deal

Small firms could find very little benefit from the Green Deal, which officially opens on 1 October 2012, as potential cost savings are eaten by rising energy bills driven by a raft of forthcoming costly energy and environmental policies, according to a new report from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

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FSB urges people to Keep Trade Local as FSB Conference opens in Leicester