Weekly Brief from the London Press & Parliamentary Office

Week 46 of 2008 Friday 14 November 2008

In this week's issue: Putting the Economy Back on Track, Small Business Finance Forum, Bank Watch, tax, post, rate relief, pubs, waste management, Enterprise Week

Putting the Economy Back on Track

The FSB this week launched the second in a series of five reports detailing proposals on how to get the economy back on track. The latest, titled Transport, Environment and ICT, found that almost half of small businesses that use the internet to advertise their firm increase turnover by one fifth. The reports can be read on the FSB's new website.

Small Business Finance Forum

It came with all the excitement of a white Christmas but the inaugural Small Business Finance Forum meeting, attended by FSB National Chairman John Wright and Head of Policy Andrew Cave, ended up as nothing more than a solitary snowflake. The discussions between small businesses, banks and the Government didn't lead very far. Andrew Cave, who had got up early to discuss the meeting on BBC Breakfast, told the Financial Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Independent that the talks were moving in slow motion.

FSB Bank Watch

The FSB will not let the banks get off that easily. We have launched FSB Bank Watch which will use our existing network of over 215,000 members across the UK to ensure that banks keep promises to lend fairly to small businesses. Our members will keep an eye on how banks are lending to small businesses across the country and feed back to us.

Tax cuts

Tax cuts were in vogue this week as the Government and the Opposition drew political swords over fiscal policy. Opposition leader David Cameron called for tax breaks for businesses that take on workers who have been unemployed for three months while there were hints that the Chancellor Alistair Darling would announce tax cuts in the upcoming Pre-Budget Report. The FSB gave its reaction to the proposals in the Daily Mail, the Independent and the Times.

Red letter day

There was good news for many small businesses this week after the Government decided to cancel the public tendering process for the Post Office Card Account scheme and award it to the Post Office, therefore saving thousands from closure. FSB Trade and Industry Chairman Clive Davenport welcomed the news, telling the Independent and the Guardian that thousands of small businesses rely on the Post Office network.

Property rates

Conservative Parliamentary candidate for South Thanet in Kent, Laura Sandys, has launched an online petition calling for the scrapping of empty property rates. It follows a campaign by the British Property Federation which is also supported by the FSB. If you have an empty property you are paying rates on and want to share your concerns, send us an email.

Mine's a pint!

FSB Trade and Industry Chairman Clive Davenport will give oral evidence to the Business & Enterprise Committee Inquiry into Pub Companies (PubCos) on Tuesday. The FSB has been supporting the Fair Pint Campaign, a national coalition of pub tenants and other organisations set up to ensure a fair deal for landlords who suffer as a result of tied lease agreements with PubCos.

Pub support

Do you need help with your pub? Are you in crisis? Have you not been able to find a buyer, leaving your pub empty, closed and costing you money? If you are an independent pub owner and really need a break or need help with your pub you may be interested in speaking to Eye Film and Television. The TV production company is making a programme where they will take over and try to promote a pub to the local community. Find out more by contacting Hayley Brasnett or call 01603 762551.

Waste Management

NetRegs.gov.uk, which provides small businesses with guidance on complying with environmental legislation, has launched a campaign to help businesses and individuals to understand their obligations under new laws regarding Site Waste Management Plans The ‘Site Waste - It's Criminal' campaign includes free email alerts featuring video case studies as well as top tips and user-friendly in-depth information. Visit the website to find out more.

Enterprise week

The FSB will be taking part in events to mark Enterprise Week from 17 to 23 November. It is a national celebration encouraging people to unlock their enterprising talent. FSB National Chairman John Wright will be signing a joint memorandum of understanding with the The School Governors' One-Stop Shop to encourage more FSB members to become School Governors. The FSB will also be announcing the winners of its annual British Small Business Champions awards.

Have a good weekend,

Marc Shoffman