Traders and local authorities should work together to revitalise towns

Weekly Brief 20

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

Unemployment figures show a struggling labour market  

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that unemployment rose to 2.52 million in the three months to March. The FSB has said this shows the labour market continuing to struggle and that small firms are key to getting more people back into work. Read the comment.

FSB urges small firms to engage customers via the web to boost sales

FSB research shows that one in four UK small firms risk being uncompetitive by not having their own website. As a consequence jobs and growth on local high streets could be under threat. The FSB is supporting Local Business Week to get shoppers to pledge to buy three items from their local high street. Read the press release and view the infographic.

Inflation report shows encouraging signs, but still more to be done

The FSB has said that the Bank of England's latest inflation report shows encouraging signs that inflation will fall faster than previously anticipated. However, small firms still need to access finance to boost economic growth. FSB research cited in the report shows that Funding for Lending is reducing the cost of finance. Read the comment.

Best Council to do Business winners should share best practice, says FSB