What does it mean to become a survey panel member? 
The FSB sends out around nine panel surveys a year to panel members. Usually, there are a combination of topics that are of interest, nationally as well as questions for devolved and local regions too. Each survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland then you'll find that they'll be topics of interest to you. For example, in NI about
corporation tax or in Scotland on making
high streets more affordable for businesses.
The FSB works with the market research agency, Research by Design to ensure that the methodology and data is robust. You can
find out more about how the partnership works on the Frequently Asked Questions.
How do we use your responses?
The FSB uses the survey results to lobby Government and the research is used frequently by the media and MPs and Lords in the Houses of Parliament in order to help promote the small business view and change policy.
By completing the survey panel, you help bring authority to the our work in influencing local and national Government and achieve tangible lobbying wins that make your life as a small business owner easier.
Since it began, research from the 'Voice of Small Business' survey panel has been used in Parliament to inform debates, including:
- A business breakfast in Parliament to raise awareness of the FSB's ‘Voice of Small Business' Index, its quarterly business confidence indicator. The debate was led by Economic Secretary Justine Greening MP. See the photos
- Robert Halfon MP and Naomi Long MP used FSB survey results on fuel in a Westminster Hall debate on motoring costs and the need to fight against fuel price inflation
- Several ministers, including the Small Business Minister, Mark Prisk MP, used FSB survey results in a wide-ranging debate on Government support for small businesses
- David Hanson MP used the survey results on the VAT rise and the impact on business in a debate about the Finance Bill
- Stephen Lloyd MP used the National Insurance Contributions (NICs) results from the employment survey to demonstrate that small businesses would take on staff if the NICs holiday was extended to existing firms
- Steve McCabe MP used the figures from the skills survey in a debate about youth unemployment and apprenticeships