FSB 'Voice of Small Business' survey
Through the roll out of the Annual Survey, the FSB has recruited more than 4,400 businesses to the FSB ‘Voice of Small Business' Survey Panel. This panel of members will answer regular questions on different policy issues. The regular surveys will give the FSB the information it needs to make sure members' views are heard by policy makers. Together we can ensure the interests of small firms are at the top of the political agenda.
Have your voice heard, join the survey panel.
Watch Minister for Small Businesses Mark Prisk talking about the 'Voice of Small Business' Survey Panel at our Summer Reception
December survey panel
London 2012 Games
Figures show that six in 10 small firms believe the London 2012 Games will not have a positive impact on their business in the long term, only seven per cent of small businesses believe the Games will benefit their business overall, and a quarter (25%) expect a negative impact on their business.
October survey panel
Entrepreneurs
A third of small businesses at start-up stage have difficulties finding suitably skilled staff, and small firms also said that they found regulation requirements onerous (47%) and had difficulty securing finance (34%) at start-up.
Collecting societies
A fifth of small businesses would like to see robust codes of conduct, overseen by an independent ombudsman put in place. Half (49%) of those that have made a complaint against a collecting society think the charging mechanism is unfair, 47 per cent said they were repeatedly contacted in spite of the fact they didn't need a licence and 28 per cent said they are difficult to work with.
June survey panel
E-commerce
Four in 10 (43%) of respondents trade-cross border via the internet, how however legal or fiscal obligations and sales disputes are barriers to selling online. So it is welcome news that the EU is proposing an optional EU-wide sales law – as 18 per cent of businesses said it would make their life easier.
Banks
A third (34%) of those that applied for finance from the banks wanted to use the finance to cover cash-flow; 21 per cent needed the credit to purchase machinery and equipment and 17 per cent to expand their business. Of the 33 per cent that had their loan request turned down, 26 per cent say that it was because there was insufficient security available.
Sickness absence
On average,sickness absence costs small busineses £1,500 but long-term sickness absence only affects 25 per cent of small businesses.
May survey panel
Employment
A third (31%) of small businesses said that reducing NICs payments for the first six months of employment would encourage they to take on more staff, and 11 per cent said extending the NICs holiday scheme would be an incentive.
A quarter (23%) of small businesses said they would take on a member of staff if Work Trials were extended.
Late payments
Almost three quarters (73%) of businesses have been paid late in the last 12 months and for the majority (77%) it is by other businesses.
March sruvey panel
Budget snap poll
Following the Chancellor's Budget, almost half (45%) of respondents said it would have no impact at all, while 31 per cent thought it would have a positive impact. Four in 10 (42%) members said that they would be no worse off – but crucially no better off – as a result of the actions taken by the Chancellor.
Skills
Almost half (46%) said that sales, marketing and PR training for themselves would help their business to develop or grow. Another third (32%) said they saw customer services and one fifth (20%) saw basic communication skills as integral to business growth.
February survey panel
Infrastructure
Around one in 10 small businesses have been adversely affected by planning consent for another business in their area, eight in 10 would support the abolition of roll-over energy contracts and nine in 10 small firms are negatively impacted by the high costs of fuel.
January snap poll
Severe weather and snow
A quarter of small businesses had to close during the severe weather and snowfall over the winter period - 24 per cent of small firms said they had to close, of these 37 per cent said they closed for up to five days and an additional seven per cent closed for more than five days for a number of reasons.