Andrew McRae, the FSB’s policy chair, said: “The Chancellor’s measures today will buy Scotland’s small businesses an inch of breathing space.
“Taking action to increase the employment allowance, as FSB suggested, will help local and independent businesses absorb some of the increasing costs of sustaining jobs. And by reducing fuel duty, the UK Government is helping every small business reliant upon their vehicle for their livelihood, like the rural tour guide that drives a minibus or the plumber who transports their tools in their van.
“There was little however for smaller firms facing overwhelming increases in their energy bills. This was a glaring omission when these operators have none of the protections of households nor the negotiating power of big businesses. Action is still required on this front or we face businesses that survived covid being pushed to the brink by soaring utility costs.”
Notes
- Read FSB’s call to increase the employment allowance: https://www.fsb.org.uk/resources-page/act-now-to-avert-800m-hit-to-levelling-up-areas-small-firms-urge-with-one-month-to-nics-hike.html