New figures from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) shows that small businesses will look to shed staff in the first three months of 2012, as it warns that the Government needs to be bolder in its changes to existing employment law to incentivise employment.

Small business confidence plummeted in 2011 as businesses were hit by high inflation, rising utilities bills and reduced consumer spending power according to the latest findings from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) ‘Voice of Small Business' Index.

New 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 despite David Cameron saying today that the UK is "on track" for a lasting legacy, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said today.

A short message from the FSBs National Chairman,John Walker, looking back at 2011 and ahead to 2012. 2011 has been a year of huge global events and news stories which have had us all gripped. And next year is set to be yet another tough year for small businesses.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is urging the Government not to water down the proposals in the Independent Commission on Bankings (ICB) report and is calling for an increase in competition in the banking sector to be at the heart of the Government's response next week.