Publications

Scottish small business confidence rose from -21.4 points to -17.8 points in the first quarter of 2018. However firms north of the border remain substantially less optimistic than their UK counterparts. 

In a letter to Glasgow City Council’s Environment Committee, FSB welcomes the commitment to improve air quality and broadly supports the plans for a Low Emission Zone. 

This report calls on the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland to make it easier and less costly for smaller businesses to recruit apprentices.

This letter to the Scottish Parliament's Local Government and Communities committee regarding the Barclay review of non-domestic rates and the recommendation that the Scottish Government should review the Small Business Bonus scheme. FSB argues that a review scheme should be focused on looking at how the scheme could be adjusted to best support Scotland’s small business community.

This letter asks the Scottish Government to ensure that Police Scotland follow the Town Centre First Principle. FSB argues that regeneration efforts will be undone if the public sector continues to consolidate their estates. 

This is FSB's response to the Scottish Government's consultation on diet and obesity in Scotland. FSB argue that any proposals developed by the government must be suitable for the many different types of food-related businesses operating in Scotland and which do not unfairly or disproportionately disadvantage smaller businesses. 

This is FSB's response to the Scottish Affairs Committee's consultation on digital connectivity in Scotland. FSB argue that Scotland’s level of digital connectivity has lagged behind other UK nations, as well as other leading European countries. FSB wants to see improvements in digital infrastructure in every part of the UK. 

In a response to the Scottish Affairs Committee’s inquiry into RBS bank branch closures, FSB calls on the UK Government to pause RBS closures to ensure no area is left without a bank branch.

This letter to the Leader of Highland Council contains the FSB’s views on the Council’s proposal to introduce a new Highland bed tax. FSB asserts that the hospitality industry is not as healthy as recent history indicates; that visitors are already taxed more heavily in the UK than competitor countries; that this tax will depress demand; and that there are a host of practical questions that have not been answered. It draws attention to the universal opposition to the tax from tourism bodies and asks Highland Council to reject the proposal.

Scottish small business confidence slid to near record lows in the final quarter of 2017. The index fell to -21.4 points down from -15.3 points in the third quarter. The research shows that more than half of small businesses highlighted the domestic economy as a barrier to growth and a balance of 17.5% reported a fall in gross profits. 

This submission provides FSB's views on the Scottish Government Draft Budget 2018-19. FSB's main priorities include: fixing local infrastructure, investing in skills to boost productivity and that income tax rates should remain unchanged. 

This report outlines the impact of the Scottish Government's proposed tax approaches on small businesses and their views on the potential changes. 

In a response to Transport Scotland, FSB argues for a diesel scrappage scheme for smaller businesses. It also calls on the Scottish Government to pass legislation to guarantee a national approach to low emission zones.

This is FSB's response to the Scottish Affairs Committee's Immigration and Scotland Inquiry. FSB argue that any new immigration system introduced after the UK leaves the EU must consider and be responsive to the needs and capabilities of smaller businesses in Scotland.