Weekly Brief 13 of 2009              Friday 03 April 2009

In this week's issue:  Business rates, Budget, G20, Press Gazette, Post Bank, Finance, Regulation, Business Support

Thanks Darling

Following FSB pressure, Chancellor Alistair Darling has scrapped plans due to come into force this week to increase business rates by 5 per cent, instead limiting the hike to 2 per cent. FSB National Chairman John Wright welcomed the move in the Daily Mirror, the Daily Express, BBC News  and the Daily Mail but also highlighted the FSB's campaign for automatic rate relief as an extra solution. Read a Q&A on the changes in business rates and view a video message from local government minister John Healy.

Budget report

The FSB's Tax Committee launched its 2009 Budget submission this week with proposals to forcing banks to lend fairly and solve the problem of rising unemployment, as reported by the Financial Times

G20

Small businesses in the City will be glad this week is over after the mass protests coinciding with the G20 summit meant many shops were closed or had very quiet days. The FSB told the Financial Times that the Square Mile was "at a standstill".

British Press Awards

The FSB dusted off its tuxedo and polished its pearls as it attended the Press Gazette's British Press Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel to sponsor the award for Business and Financial Journalist of the Year. View the video. The FSB award is on page 2 under the Business and Finance tab.

Post Bank petition

The Communication Workers Union has launched a petition calling for the establishment of a Post Bank which is backed by the FSB. View the petition.

Access to finance

MPs on the Business and Enterprise Committee would like to assess the Government's support packages aimed at easing access to finance for businesses. Email the FSB with examples of your experiences so we can inform the committee of your concerns. Please put "EFG" in the subject line of your email.

Regulatory Reform

FSB Policy Chair for Better Regulation Clive Davenport will be giving oral evidence to the Regulatory Reform Committee on the Tuesday 28 April 2009 as part of their inquiry into "Themes and Trends in Regulatory Reform." Email the FSB with your own experiences of how regulation has affected you and we will pass on your issues.

Solutions for Business

The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has produced a document detailing a simplified framework for publicly funded support for businesses. View it on the FSB website.

Have a good weekend,  

Marc Shoffman