Weekly Brief 2 of 2009 Friday 16 January 2009
In this week's issue: Five point plan; Small Business Survival Fund; Mirror campaign; Google; Legacy; Apprenticeships; Case studies; Equality Bill; Corporation tax
FSB's Five Point Plan
The FSB launched a Five Point Plan this week with a plan to tackle rising unemployment and create around 400,000 new jobs, as reported by the Independent, the BBC and, the Metro. The plan was put to Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a job summit he held on Monday to announce a £500 million scheme aimed at helping 500,000 people back into work. The FSB gave a mixed reaction to the proposals, National Chairman John Wright told Channel 4 News, the BBC, the Telegraph, the Times and the Evening Standard that more must be done to retain jobs as well as creating new ones.
Small Business Survival Fund
Avid Weekly Brief readers will remember that back in October, the FSB proposed a £1 billion Small Business Survival Fund. The scheme was taken up in the Government's Pre-Budget Report in November and finally introduced as the £1.3 billion Enterprise Finance Guarantee this week. The FSB celebrated the campaign victory in the Times, the Telegraph, the Independent, Sky News and Channel 4 News, but lamented the fact that over 80 businesses have closed a day waiting for the fund.
Mirror business blueprint
The Daily Mirror launched a blueprint for helping small businesses with the help of the FSB. Running for three days, it includes comments from FSB National Chairman John Wright as well as our latest statistics on late payments, credit issues and the effect of employment regulations.
Google AdWords
Internet search engine Google is offering you a freebie to promote your business online and attract new customers. To request your voucher, simply visit www.google.co.uk/ads-vouchersignup. Also, be sure to check out Google's small business microsite at www.google.co.uk/speedup which gives you hints and tips on how your business can make use of the internet and use those AdWords most effectively.
Legacy
Have you built up your own business, and are wondering who to leave it to in the family, or how to divide it up? Management guru Sir Gerry Robinson is working with BBC2 to follow someone settling their legacy with their children. He is looking for businesspeople who are still unsure about how best to pass on what they have. The programme's producers would like to speak to anyone who might be interested in being featured in the film – or knows someone else who might. Call Robin Leach on 020 7861 8131 or email robin.leach@talkbackthames.tv
The Apprentice
The search is on to find the nation's top apprenticeship employers and top individual apprentices as the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) launches its prestigious sixth annual National Apprenticeship Awards. Sponsored by City & Guilds, the Apprenticeship Awards are designed to recognise employers who are successfully using apprenticeships to improve their businesses. For details on how to apply visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk/awards or call 0800 954 8896. The deadline for entries is Friday 27th February.
David & Goliath
ITV is producing a series of shows on the David and Goliath challenges of running a convenience store or corner shop in Britain. Are thugs, thieves and the onward march of the supermarkets and their ‘metro' outlets making it difficult to carry on? The series wants to tell your story and bring in experts to help you survive and prosper in difficult times. Email Mark.Jordan@itv.com to find out more.
Enterprise Allowance Scheme
Did you set up your business under the Enterprise Allowance Scheme in the 1980s? Email the FSB to let us know your experiences.
Short-time working
The FSB would also like to hear from you if you and your staff are working fewer days or hours to combat the economic downturn or if you are an employer who encourages your employees to volunteer? Email us your experiences.
Rent
Do you rent your premises from your local council? If you do, BBC Radio Five Live is interested in finding out if you're in the process of - or have recently - renegotiated your rent. If you have - and you've been asked to pay more in rent – the station may be interested in talking to you. Email Louise Price to tell her your experiences.
Equality Bill
The Government Equalities Office is holding a series of workshops in February to hear how businesses feel they will be affected by new employment rules coming out under the Equality Bill.
Meetings will be held in:
London Tues 10th February, 10:30am-12:30pm (aimed at larger employers)
Bristol Weds 11th February, 10:30am-12:30pm
Birmingham Thurs 12th February, 10:30am-12:30pm
York Fri 13th February, 10:30am-12:30pm
For more information email Sharon Foster-King or call 020 7944 0665
Corporation tax
There is now an e-petition on the Downing Street website calling for the re-introduction of the zero-rate corporation tax band for the first £10,000 of company profit.
Have a good weekend,
Marc Shoffman