COVID-19: THE LATEST
For all the latest news and updates, visit our Covid-19 hub.
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a toolkit for employers to help ensure employees get reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines.
Access the toolkit to get materials for you to run internal awareness campaigns, including key messages, posters, fact sheets and videos providing accurate, up-to-date information.
EU TRADE
If you are a UK business which trades with Europe, keep track of the latest changes and developments via FSB's transition hub.
NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
Plan B to tackle omicron in England
The new rules on mask-wearing, vaccine passes and working from home in England, announced by the Prime Minister on Wednesday, “need to be matched by plans to protect the economy and livelihoods”, said FSB National Chair Mike Cherry. Responding to lower-than-expected GDP growth of just 0.1% in October, Mike Cherry added: “The economy was struggling to get into gear even before Plan B measures for England were announced. Plan B restrictions will add to existing consumer concerns about the spread of omicron, further dampening an already suppressed appetite for festive celebrations and trips out.” The working safely guidance for England has been updated.
Share your experiences
FSB members who have not yet filled in our most recent Small Business Index survey are being urged to do so. The quarterly SBI is closely followed by the press and by politicians, and forms a vital part of FSB’s lobbying work on behalf of small businesses. You can reply to the survey here – it should take no more than 10 minutes to fill in.
Procurement guide for SMEs
The Government has published a guide for SMEs on how to sell to Government, offering “advice on where to find opportunities through Contracts Finder and Find a Tender and what payment terms to expect”, along with “top tips for tendering”.
FSB’s biggest small business networking event
FSB is holding its biggest ever virtual networking event on Wednesday 15 December, featuring viral council meeting video star Jackie Weaver. The registration limit is full, but you can sign up to the waiting list via this page. Festive attire is encouraged!
New Enterprise Allowance – last chance to apply
The New Enterprise Allowance scheme, offering money and support to people wishing to set up their own business, is closing to new applications on 31 December. Apply before then if you are eligible, and have an idea for a potentially viable business.
£116m for green innovation
A funding pot of £116 million has been unveiled by the Government, to develop new green technologies, to “support companies across the UK to put cutting-edge technology in operation”, and to “provide SMEs with support services to accelerate their green innovations”.
NAO: Trade agreement progress report
The NAO has released a report on the trade deals negotiated by the Government since 2016. It notes that, despite “good progress” in negotiations, there are “new and heightened risks to manage when progressing at such speed and intensity”, including that not enough resource is allocated towards helping businesses take advantage of new deals on international trade.
Supporting female entrepreneurs
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women and Enterprise’s second report, The Future of Female Entrepreneurship - Pathways to Progress: Skills for Success, has been published, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak among the guests at its launch event. The report focuses on three barriers facing women who want to start and grow a business, namely: small business payment terms; poor access to tailored entrepreneurial education and careers guidance at school; and the need for collaboration between businesses and local and regional institutions to encourage more female entrepreneurship.
Driving home (safely) for Christmas
National Highways has launched a campaign to help drivers understand and respect the red “X” signals on motorways.
Lords report on towns and cities
The Lords Committee on Covid has released a report on what towns and cities need from the Government in order to recover from the pandemic, including greater powers for town and city leadership, a blended approach to housing, retail, workplaces and leisure opportunities, and plans to tackle inequalities included in regeneration plans.
Hybrid working guidance
The CIPD has issued guidance on effective hybrid working, looking at people management, recruitment, inclusion and fairness, and health, safety, and wellbeing.
Making a song and dance about anti-fraud
The Financial Conduct Authority has come up with a novel way to raise awareness about fraud involving upfront payments for loans which then do not materialise – through releasing a loan fee fraud jingle. Check it out here.
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