Business News
New Labour leader must ‘think small’
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged Ed Milliband to remember that small businesses are the lifeblood the UK economy at present and to ‘think small first’, as he hosts his first Party Conference as the new Labour leader.
The FSB explained that small businesses continue to contribute vital support to economic recovery in the UK; however, issues that affect them on a daily basis and could prevent further growth are still being overlooked by the government.
Through the FSB ‘Voice of Small Business’ survey panel, the views of over 4,000 members of the FSB have been collected on the various issues that currently affect them. Ranging from topics such as local broadband access and speed through to the availability of finance, small businesses across the UK spoke out to outline why they are unhappy.
Key findings from the survey showed:
• 75% of FSB members want the UK tax system simplified
• 57% are keen to go green
• 33% believe too much red tape is preventing the future growth of their business
• 63% are unhappy with the speed of their broadband service and want greater clarity from service providers in advertising and promotional literature
In response, the FSB is also holding a fringe event on its recently re-launched ‘Keep Trade Local’ campaign, aiming to highlight the importance of local shops and traders in speeding up regional economic recovery.
John Walker, National Chairman of the FSB, explained: "The new leader will take the reins of the Labour party at a difficult time, with a Coalition Government and impending political change. It is important however, that the new leader remembers that small businesses are the biggest employer in the UK and that they that will take the UK firmly onto the road to recovery.”
"The FSB is proud to be the only business organisation that is truly member-led, with the views of members fully-ensconced in policy decision making, and hopes to be able to give the new leader an insight into the life of a small firm and the issues they face at the Conference."
