Weekly Brief 24 of 2009      Friday 19 June 2009

In this week's issue: Prompt payment; Digital Britain; British Airways; Terminate the Rate; BIDs; Alcohol; Phones; Case studies

Prompt payment
FSB Scotland celebrated a lobbying victory today as First Minister Alex Salmond announced that a new clause will be used in contracts stating that all businesses in the supply chain must be paid within 30 days, particularly small firms. Read the Scottish Government press release which includes a quote from FSB Scotland Policy Convenor Andy Willox.

Digital Britain
A letter from FSB National Chairman John Wright was featured in the Times this week on the Government's new media and internet strategy in its Digital Britain report. The FSB welcomed the Government's commitment to ensuring universal access to fast broadband but warned the target of providing a minimum speed of 2mbps by 2012 lacks ambition. Read the press release.

British Airways
British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh launched a heated debate in the media this week after announcing that he will work for free for a month and urging his staff to do the same. The FSB told the BBC and the Guardian that staff in small businesses are already working overtime or had moved to part-time so could not be expected to work for free.

Terminate the rate
Communications company 3 would like to hear your experiences about the cost of calling mobiles as part of its Terminate the Rate campaign, which is supported by the FSB. The campaign calls for lower charges for phoning mobiles from a different network or landline, known as the Mobile Termination Rate. Do you know someone who is reluctant to call your mobile from their landline or who's run up a massive mobile phone bill calling UK mobiles? Are your family or friends ever forced to rush or skip a call to a mobile for fear of how much it'll cost?  Email Phyllisia Adjei if you can help.  Don't forget to sign the petition.

Business Improvement Districts
The FSB is researching the impact of existing Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) on small businesses to help put together future consultation responses and inform other firms about the scheme. If you operate within a BID area email your experiences to West Midlands Policy Manager Denise Craig or Policy Adviser Priyen Patel.

Alcohol

The Government is exploring the need for an exemption in the Licensing Act 2003 for businesses that distribute a minimal amount alcohol such as hairdressers offering a glass of wine with a haircut, B&Bs offering a small amount of alcohol to a staying guest, or florists selling champagne with flowers. Contact Policy Adviser Sara Higham if you have an example of how this affects small firms.

Case studies
A new BBC Radio 4 programme aimed at small businesses starts this summer made by Whistledown Productions. It will cover topics including the pros and cons of family-run firms, launching a new business in a recession and starting up a company in your retirement. If you fit into any of these categories and would like to share your experiences, send a brief description of yourself and your business along with your contact details to the producer Karen Pirie.

Phone lines
The FSB is providing its members with a subsidised telephone package which could save users collectively over £10 million in a year. Read the press release.

Have a good weekend,

Marc Shoffman