Established over 45 years ago to help our members succeed in business, we are a non-profit making and non-party political organisation that’s led by our members, for our members.
We have had huge influence on making change and influencing policy – recently securing a £940 million reduction in business rates for small firms; a freeze on the VAT threshold as well as on fuel duty. We also persuaded the Government to adopt a reform package to stop late payments to small businesses.
Find out more about our mission

We have had huge influence on making change and influencing policy – recently securing a £940 million reduction in business rates for small firms; a freeze on the VAT threshold as well as on fuel duty. We also persuaded the Government to adopt a reform package to stop late payments to small businesses.
We’ve successfully campaigned for small firms to be excluded from the IR35 extension; and secured a £675 million Future High Street Fund. We successfully campaigned for the abolishment of the unfair ‘staircase tax’ and the halving of apprenticeship training co-investment.
The 5.8 million small businesses in the UK make up 99.3 per cent of all private sector businesses. They contribute a staggering amount to the UK’s local and national economies, as well as being a major source of employment. We encourage our members to get involved with our work – from engaging with our campaigns, to standing in our local and national member volunteer elections. Together, we are stronger.
Overturning Tax Hikes
We overturned a £2bn tax hike on the self employed.
Wales
£57m Brexit Preparedness fund for smaller businesses
Tackling Late Payments
We Campaigned for new plans to finally stop the scourge of late payments
Fuel Duty Frozen
We Sucessfully campaigned for a 9 year freeze of fuel duty
Protecting You
We've achieved protection for the smallest businesses from digital tax plans and VAT
Cutting Rates
Due to our lobbying, 1.5 million small businesses will now pay no businesses rates at all or have reductions to help the high street and those most affected by the recent revaluation. Future annual inflationary rises will also be lower
Improving Broadband to 10Mbps
We won a commitment to a 10Mbps Universal Service Obligation for broadband, the essential 'fourth utility' for smaller businesses
Northern Ireland
£20m Secured by extending Small Business Rate Relief
Scotland
£50m capital fund to regenerate town centres
Our latest reports
A Skills-Led Economy for Wales
Growing SMEs through Skills Development
Small Business Index, Quarter 3, 2023
Small business confidence stays in negative territory.
Net Benefits?
Small business use of online platforms