Weekly Brief 51 of 2008 Friday 19 December 2008
In this week's issue: working time directive; exports; rural businesses; recession; Google; wage cuts; landlords
Members of the European Parliament have worryingly voted to end Britain's opt-out from the 48 hour working week. FSB Employment Chairman Alan Tyrell described the move in The Metro as a "serious blow to small businesses". The vote will now be debated by the Council of Ministers before it can be made law, a process which can take 3 years.
Exporters, particularly small businesses in the sector, need more support to take advantage of the weak pound, the Financial Times reported, quoting the FSB.
Rural businesses may become the silent victims of the credit crunch this Christmas after a poll carried out by the FSB's newly formed Rural Affairs and Tourism Committee, reported on by the Daily Telegraph, revealed that almost 60 per cent were expecting their trade to be down during the festive season compared to last year.
Recession may be coming to the UK, but London Mayor Boris Johnson released a £3 billion package of measures to help small businesses in the Capital through the downturn this week.
You may be interested in visiting a new microsite launched by the Google engine on how to best use the internet to promote your business. It includes a foreword by FSB National Chairman John Wright.
Xmas is not the time for wage cuts, FSB Head of Public Affairs Stephen Alambritis told the Financial Times this week, instead highlighting FSB research which found that business owners are cutting staff hours and further recruitment to tackle the credit crunch.
Make sure you download and subscribe to the first FSB podcast to hear the latest on our lobbying activities. This month's episode includes a Christmas message from FSB National Chairman John Wright and the latest from the Keep Trade Local campaign.
Are you satisfied with your landlord? The Property Industry Alliance wants to know how happy companies are with their landlords. Let them know by completing the Occupier Satisfaction Index.
Sayonara for 2008! The FSB offices will close at 5.00pm on Tuesday, 23 December and re-open on Monday, 5 January 2009 at 9.00am.
Merry Xmas, Happy Chanukah, Season's Greetings, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year,
Marc Shoffman