FSB: Small firms are key to strengthening the recovery
The National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the Government to create a country fit for entrepreneurs in its Budget due next week.
Speaking to delegates in his opening speech at the FSB’s Annual Conference in Liverpool, National Chairman John Walker said that small businesses are key to sustaining economic recovery across the UK and urged the Government to ensure that next weeks Budget had the needs of small firms at its core calling for:
. The extension of the national insurance contributions holiday to include existing businesses
. The introduction of a fuel duty stabiliser to help firms’ cash-flow
He also highlighted the FSB’s key achievements since the Coalition Government came to power including: a commitment to reduce regulation, including the exemption of micro-businesses from time to train legislation; the extension of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee and the re-introduction of the Enterprise Allowance Fund as well as a commitment from central government to make the procurement process simpler.
And, as elections across local authorities in England and the devolved countries approach, Mr Walker urged members to go back to their constituencies and put the message to local and devolved government’s that the small business community is integral to generating wealth and prosperity, but it needs a helping hand.
The Government has committed to making the procurement process easier for small firms around the country – but for many, these promises won’t have an effect until local governments follow suit and make the same commitments.
John Walker, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said:
“2010 was a tough year, and 2011 looks like it’s going to be much of the same as the public sector cuts begin to bite, unemployment remains high and GDP contracts.
“The UK’s 4.8 million small businesses are best placed to help the recovery, but they need a helping hand. We need to see the Chancellor use the Budget to create a country fit for entrepreneurs by providing incentives for businesses to take on staff and for self-employment to become a viable choice for the unemployed.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. The FSB is Britain’s leading business organisation with over 210,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk
2. The full speech will on the FSB website www.fsb.org.uk. When reading the speech, please check against delivery.
3. The FSB Annual Conference is being held at the BT Convention Centre in Liverpool between 17 and 19 March 2011. Exhibitors include Towergate, Dell, Visa and Co-op, ASC Finance and British Gas.
4. The FSB’s Annual Conference is the biggest non-governmental SME conference in the UK. Previous conferences have been held in Aberdeen, Cardiff, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast and Leeds. For more information go to www.fsb.org
5. The main sponsor at Conference 2011 is Visa. In Europe, there are over 380 million Visa debit, credit and commercial cards. Visa Europe is owned and operated by over 4,000 European member banks and was incorporated in July 2004. For more information, visit
Andrew Cave, Chief Spokesperson: 07917 628991
Prue Watson: 07825 125695
Sara Lee: 07595 067068 sara.lee@fsb.org.uk
For regional FSB contacts please go to www.fsb.org.uk
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