Weekly Brief from the London Press & Parliamentary Office
Week 47 of 2008 Friday 21 November 2008
In this week's issue: Pre-Budget report, Small Business Survival Fund, banks, economy, pubs, school governors, internet, drivers
Pre-Budget report
While fans of reality show ‘I'm a Celebrity' watch politicians wrestle with bugs, reptiles and rodents deep in the Australian jungle, the FSB will be looking to the Chancellor Alistair Darling's own bushtucker trial on Monday, the Pre-Budget report. The Chancellor will outline the Government's spending and tax plans to the House of Commons at 1530 on Monday and the FSB will be watching to ensure parts of its wish list for small businesses are taken up.
Small Business Survival Fund
FSB National Chairman John Wright this week advertised an open letter to Chancellor Alistair Darling. The FSB took out three full page adverts to publicise the letter in the Times, the Telegraph and the Guardian urging the Government to implement its proposal for a £1 billion Small Business Survival package. The proposal was picked editorially up in the Guardian, the Financial Times, the Evening Standard and the Daily Mail.
Banks
FSB Head of Public Affairs Stephen Alambritis told the Daily Mail that it was time for the banks to stop putting two fingers up to small businesses amid rumours that the Chancellor Alistair Darling will announce tough action against the institutions in his Pre-Budget report on Monday. The FSB's concerns were also reported by the Evening Standard and the Financial Times.
Putting the Economy Back on Track
The FSB this week launched the third in a series of five reports detailing proposals on how to get the economy back on track. The latest, titled Skills and Training, found that training being offered by small businesses is going unrecognised.
Pub companies
FSB Trade and Industry Chairman Clive Davenport called for exclusive purchasing agreements, known as beer ties, between pub companies and landlords to be abolished, in oral evidence to the Business & Enterprise Committee Inquiry into Pub Companies (PubCos.) 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. His views were picked up by the Financial Times and Radio 4's You and Yours programme.
School governors
FSB National Chairman John Wright signed a memorandum of understanding with Steve Acklam Chief Executive of the School Governors One Stop Shop as part of Enterprise Week to encourage more business people to become school governors
Internet
The FSB's report into the benefits of using the internet for small businesses during the economic downturn was covered by the Financial Times.
Get Safe Online
Small businesses were this week encouraged to GetSafeOnline. Visit the website for free advice on how you can protect your IT systems and data.
RoSPA Young Drivers at Work Project
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is running a research study aimed at helping young drivers (17-24) to stay safe when they are on the road as part of their job. To do this, RoSPA need to hear the views of businesses that employ young drivers who use the road for work. There is an online questionnaire for employers to complete at Young Drivers at Work Website
Have a good weekend,
Marc Shoffman