Weekly Brief 27 of 2009      Friday 10 July 2009

FSB delivers Keep Trade Local petition to PM

FSB National Chairman John Wright and National Policy Chairman John Walker joined members at Number 10 Downing Street this week to deliver the final Keep Trade Local petition to the Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The petition, which garnered 55,000 signatures, marks the pinnacle of the year-long campaign urging support for independent retailers on the UK's high streets. Read the press release and view images.

Northern Rock repackaging

The Post Bank coalition, which includes the FSB, this week urged the Government to transform Northern Rock into a state-owned bank within the Post Office which could provide financial services to small firms and shore up the network. Read the press release and coverage in The Guardian and the Morning Star.

Support needed for rural firms

As the Royal Show welcomed visitors for the last time this week, an FSB report warned that village shops and pubs could be forced to close unless urgent action is taken. Read the press release.

Short-time working proposals

The Financial Times featured a letter from National Chairman John Wright urging the Government to introduce a short-time working subsidy to help prevent redundancies and stem unemployment.

Have you been a victim of ID fraud?

The FSB is seeking case studies of business owners who have been affected by corporate identity fraud such as spam emails, stolen domain names or false Companies House registrations. Email us your experiences.

Oldest FSB businesses

The FSB is looking for long established businesses in a quest to find the oldest enterprises in its membership. Email us if you think your business qualifies.

Skills portal test launch

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills has launched a test version of the Talentmap, a website for small businesses to access training. It aims to solve problems regarding access to publicly-funded training. Email your thoughts on the web service to FSB Education and Skills Chairman Colin Willman.

Credit management survey

The Institute of Credit Management is running a poll until the end of August to identify how businesses manage cash-flow. Complete the survey and download the Managing Cashflow Guides at the end.

Have a good weekend,

Marc Shoffman