Boom in small businesses but with a legal sting in the tail

As unemployment continues to be a worry, the FSB is expecting a record number of people to set up their own small business this year, but is concerned that if they go on to work for other companies that they could be penalised by the taxman. Read the press release.

Weekly Brief 30

Read about the FSB's latest press and policy activites and opportunities for small businesses in the latest edition of Weekly Brief. Receive regular alerts by subscribing to the newsletter.

Broadband for business breakfast meeting

Policy Chairman, Mike Cherry chaired a Broadband for Business Breakfast meeting at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Ed Vaizey the Minister for Broadband was there to discuss broadband plans with the FSB. View the photos. 

Victory for FSB on Furnished Holiday Lettings

The FSB has won a major victory in persuading the Treasury to adopt proposals by the FSB which will prevent eight in ten small businesses in the holiday sector from going bust. Under current rules, businesses in the holiday sector must be available to rent for at least 20 weeks of the year and must be rented for 10 weeks. Now the Treasury is proposing to increase this to 15 weeks. Read our consultation response and the Treasury's proposals. 

FSB set to be key business partner with new local enterprise partnerships

Small businesses are set to be at the heart of the newly created local enterprise partnerships following a meeting between the Department of Communities and Local Government and the FSB. Local enterprise partnerships will replace the recently abolished Regional Development Agencies. Read the press release. 

LBRO needs revamping, not scrapping

The FSB has welcomed the review into the performance of the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) but is concerned that this vital burden busting body will be scrapped. We know that regulation is one of the biggest obstacles small firms face and so are calling on the Government to revamp LBRO, not bin it. Read the press release and policy paper.