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

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

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