Publications

FSB and Institute of Directors write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer about increasing the Annual Investment Allowance

This response provides FSB's views on the Scottish Government's consultation on the Relaxation of Planning Controls for Digital Communications Infrastructure. FSB supports the changes to Permitted Development Rights proposed by the Scottish Government to improve Scotland's digital and mobile infrastructure. 

FSB calls for Chancellor's first autumn statement to boost confidence, investment and long term growth 

This response provides FSB’s views on the Scottish Government’s plans for a new social security system. FSB makes the case for additional employment protection for self-employed people.  

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has found that high-street banks in the UK are failing small businesses as branch closure programmes continue to accelerate. FSB's new report sets out the serious implications of this trend and finds that small business access to banking and productivity is already being damaged.

This is the FSB’s response to Barclay review of business rates in Scotland. FSB argues for continued rates support for smaller businesses – while pressing for the tax to be modernised and for a number of other improvements to the system. 

This response provides the FSB's views on the Scottish Government's 2017 Non-domestic rating revaluation - consultation on possible transitional arrangements. FSB argue that on balance, considering the wider economic context, that a transitional scheme would be broadly appropriate for the 2017 revaluation. 

This response provides the FSB's views on the Scottish Government's consultation on the use of rateable value to charge non-households for water and sewerage services. FSB continue to argue for fairness and, in particular, do not support the continued link between rateable value and water bills.

Scottish smaller business confidence reached its lowest ebb since 2011 following June’s referendum. The Scottish confidence index fell to -18.8 points in the third quarter of 2016, down from +1.7 points this time last year  However, many Scottish firms plan to tap cheaper credit to deliver postponed investment plans. 

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has found that UK small business confidence has continued to fall, dipping into negative territory for the first time since 2012. Business owners feeling confident are outnumbered by those that feel the opposite. However, FSB found many immediate economic conditions improving, with small firms reporting greater access to finance, a rise in new employment and reduced spare capacity in their businesses.

2017 will also see a revaluation of business rates. These occur every five years when the Valuation Office Agency conducts a revaluation exercise to determine the rateable value of all public and private non domestic properties. However, the planned Revaluation in 2015 did not take place and was instead postponed until 2017.

This response provides FSB's views on the Scottish Government's consultation on their response to the UK Apprenticeship Levy. FSB argue that the proceeds from the levy would yield a greater economic impact by investing in the growth of the regional skills academy model and by creating a flexible skills fund.    

This response provides FSB's views on the Scottish Government's review of enterprise and skills services in Scotland. FSB argues for a business support system that is, shaped by user needs, delivers for small businesses and provides a co-ordinated, joined-up, inclusive and expert service to all firms.

This report found apprenticeship reform at a make-or-break moment, with small firms critical to achieving the Government’s target of reaching three million new apprentices by 2020. The report clearly demonstrates the potential of small firms to help meet the target, but also presents some major challenges which need to be addressed to achieve it.