How the FSB is helping you...
We have taken the message from small businesses to the heart of government.
For example in November, the Chancellor announced in his Pre-Budget Report the creation of a £1billion scheme to help small businesses. This was a measure the FSB had called for in our pre-budget report. Following our successful lobbying on January 14th, the government announced the launch of its Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme - download the latest guidance from BERR on how to apply for the scheme
Latest campaign updates...
- The FSB is calling on banks to restore decision-making powers to local branches and is launching a code of practice for banks to follow and to support more lending to small firms.
- The FSB and the TUC are calling for a Government fund for companies moving to short-term wages and temporary lay-offs that could support up to 600,000 workers a year. Read the proposal and the press release.
Ongoing National Activities
- Five-point plan aimed at creating 400,000 new jobs launched.
- Working with Peter Luff MP to pioneer a Private Members Bill on the automatic payment of Business Rate Relief for small firms in England.
South East actions:
- SEPU submitted a 32 page report detailing over 70 case studies on small busineses access to bank finance - the report has now been submitted to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) as part of their call for evidence on how banks are performing.
- Roger House is a member of the high level South East Economic Delivery Council, co-chaired by Minister for the South East Jonathan Shaw and SEEDA Chairman Jim Brathwaite.
- Establishment of an Economic Affairs Committee to help SEPU coordinate our response to the ongoing economic crisis.
- Producing a guide on how public sector procurement can help small businesses through the recession.
Check out BERRs statement on security under the EFG Scheme
Where can you get advice...
Recent FSB research shows that many small business owners do not know where to go in order to get the help and advice they need to steer their business through the recession. In order to help business owners identify the right sources of advice we have started to collate all the latest assistance provided to help small businesses.
We are very keen to hear from you of any case studies you may have, either positive or negative, as a result of using any of these sources of information, support or guidance - please email Andrew Barter with any information.
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Business Rates Deferral Scheme Announced
Information on the Government's announcement on how small businesses can spread payments to ease the burden of business rates.
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Business Link in the South East
Guide to Doing Business in tough times
This guide offers practical guidance to help business when times are tough. It focuses on key areas such as finance, planning, customers and people and highlights the actions you can take to help the business succeed.
Each section starts with things that can be done today - simple short term actions which may have long term benefits. The guide also looks at longer term actions desigined to help businesses move forward and includes a range of tools and information to help with specfic issues.
All the support included in the guide can be accessed on the Business Link website
Businesses looking for further support or to arrange a meeting with a Business Link Advisor to review you business and develop an action plan, contact them on 0845 600 9 006.
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HM Government
Real Help Now
This site gives you the latest government actions to help businesses survive the recession. By clicking on the link to the South East you can access information on what help is available within the region.
Solutions for business funded by Government
Download the latest Government document (published March 2009) highlighting the support available for small firms.
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HM Revenue & Customs
Business Payment Service
A new website providing support to businesses has been launched. The aim of the website is to give targeted support to businesses to arrange to pay their HM Revenue & Customs tax bill to a timetable that businesses can afford.
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HM Government
Real help for the South East
The purpose of the booklet is to set out what measures the government is taking to help Britain come through the global economic.
The booklet provides information for families and businesses as to what is currently available and where to find it.
The business support outlined in the booklet includes sections examining:
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- help to secure credit and finance for your business;
- help with managing your business during difficult times;
- help with investing for the future.
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Finance South East
Small Business Finance Package
Access this website to learn more about the following schemes:
- A Small Business Finance Scheme offering up to £1 billion of bank lending, guaranteed by the Government
- A £1 billion guarantee facility to support bank lending to small exporters from the Export Credit Guarantee Department
- A £50 milllion fund to convert businesses' debt into equity
- A £25 million regional loan transition fund to help businesses over the next six months based on a recently launched West Midlands initiative
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British Bankers' Association
Surviving the Downturn: A Checklist for Small Businesses
The British Bankers' Association has compilied a list of 10 tips for small business to help you weather the recession.
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BIS Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Managing Cash Flow Guides
Cashflow is critical to business survival but all too often the day to day challenge of running a business, particularly a smaller business, can mean losing sight of some of the skills for successful cashflow management. This series of guides, developed in partnership with the Institute of Credit Management, is part of a series of initiatives providing practical support to help businesses help themselves through these difficult times. They are designed to provide straightforward and speedy advice with simple checklists and top tips.
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