Weekly Brief 28 of 2009 Friday 17 July 2009
Keep Trade Local visits parliament
FSB National Chairman John Wright and National Policy Chairman John Walker joined members, MPs and peers at a House of Commons reception this week celebrating the Keep Trade Local campaign with an exhibition of images showing small shops across the UK.
Businesses must prepare for Swine Flu impact
The FSB urged businesses to prepare themselves for Swine Flu in interviews with the BBC and the Guardian this week as cases of the virus and warnings of its impact increased. For the latest information and advice on responding to the Swine Flu pandemic, visit Business Link and the Department of Health website. Let the FSB know how you are preparing.
Keep a check on business crime
The FSB has launched a best practice checklist for police officers to use to prove their commitment to their local business community, as reported in the Daily Telegraph. View the press release and information about the campaign.
Mind the Gap – New Study Confirms Hole in Small Firm Financing
New Scottish Government research confirms that there is a significant gap between the demand for finance from Scotland's small businesses and the readiness of the high street banks to provide it. Welcoming the report, the FSB's Scottish Policy Convener, Andy Willox, warned that small firms cannot trade the country out of recession without the backing of the financial sector. Read his comments in the Daily Express, the Herald, the Scotsman, the Daily Record, the Press and Journal and Business 7.
Sowing the seeds of entrepreneurialism
Hartlepool Sixth Form College students' Hannah and Sarah Swainson won the FSB North East region's inaugural Future Students Award this week. The girls beat competition from 25 colleges for the best business idea in the area. They won a bursary of £1,100 to put towards their idea for a textile-based business.
Lunch with the FSB
Conservative Shadow Cabinet Ministers Mark Prisk and Philip Hammond visited the FSB Westminster office this week to discuss small business issues with FSB National Policy Chairman John Walker and FSB National Chairman John Wright over lunch. View images.
Do you export or operate abroad?
The City of London is conducting a survey about the experience of bribery and corruption for businesses operating overseas. It is anonymous and confidential and takes less than five minutes to complete: Additionally, email the FSB if you export and would like to talk about how new draft bribery legislation might impact on your business.
Have a good weekend!