Small Business, Big Vote: The Route to Recovery

In its General Election Manifesto 2010, the FSB is urging Government to give small firms a helping hand so they can get back to business and continue to help bring the country out of recession by creating new jobs, getting all-important access to affordable finance and helping those who want to go it alone to create new, innovative businesses.

Read the FSB's vision for 2010

Small Business, Big Vote: FSB 2010 Manifesto

Find out more about the campaign

Small Business, Big Vote: FSB Campaign Manifesto

Hung parliament 

Following the onset of a hung parliament, new figures show that 54 per cent of small firms will not be moving forward with plans to develop their business and over half lack confidence in the economy following the election. Read the press release. 

General Election 2010 Video

Watch our General Election 2010 campaign video which highlights the importance of small firms to the economic recovery and how the incoming Government - of whatever hue - can help small firms.

Employment:

Small businesses hold the key to tackling the unemployment crisis, but they need support to ensure that number of people out of work don't rise.

Apprenticeships one page briefing

Taxation:

Small businesses can deliver a strong economic recovery if they are given a chance to grow and flourish.

Cutting payroll taxes one page briefing

Reducing VAT for construction workers one page briefing

Finance:

The UK lacks the finance structures to support recovery. We need greater competition in the banking sector for small businesses to grow.

Competition in banking sector one page briefing       

Post Bank one page briefing

                          Late Payment one page briefing                          

                          Financial Intermediary Service one page briefing, or our full briefing paper.  

Entrepreneurship and Innovation:

Small businesses drive innovation - 500,000 people start up their own business every year and 60 per cent of all commercial innovations come from small firms. They should be supported, not ignored. 

 Broadband one page briefing

 Moratorium on business regulation one page briefing

 Innovation through public procurement one page briefing

Low Carbon Economy:

The UK's 4.8 million small businesses could be a catalyst for the low carbon economy.

Waste and recycling one page briefing

Low Carbon Economy one page briefing

Local Communities:

Small businesses are not just part of the local community they are the local community.

 Furnished Holiday Lettings one page briefing

 Pubcos one page briefing