COVID-19: THE LATEST
For all the latest news and updates, visit our Covid-19 Hub.
NET ZERO
Our Sustainability Hub has everything you need to help you on your journey to net zero.
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
Self-isolation period cut
FSB has welcomed the news that the self-isolation period in England is to be cut to five days from seven, provided that those isolating test negative on days 5 and 6. The change comes into effect as of this Monday (17 Jan). FSB National Chair Mike Cherry said: “[The] announcement marks an important intervention; it’s a relief to see policymakers embrace our recommendation. From here, the Government should now make good on past promises to deliver a world leading test-and-trace infrastructure. The workplace testing initiative – closed last summer – should be relaunched immediately and lateral flow supplies shored up.”
Safe working guidance updated
The Government’s guidance on working safely during coronavirus in England has been updated.
PPE interim guidance
The Health & Safety Executive is reminding employers that the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 will come into effect on 6 April, and will extend employers’ and employees’ duties regarding PPE. Interim guidance from the HSE is here.
Be fraud aware
The Take Five campaign is ramping up its efforts to help make small and medium-sized businesses more fraud-aware, to stem millions of pounds of losses to this insidious form of crime every year. FSB is supporting the campaign urging people to stop, challenge, and protect themselves from fraudsters’ attempts to scam them out of their hard-earned cash.
Insurance survey open
FSB’s latest survey is looking to gain valuable insight on small businesses' views on insurance and investment. The results from the survey will form the basis of two subsequent reports on how small businesses interact with the insurance market and with finance for investment. Your insights are incredibly valuable to FSB and we appreciate the time taken to complete the survey, which can be found here.
Mask survey
The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) is exploring the opinions of workers and the public on the wearing of face coverings in small consulting rooms within a retail environment, such as pharmacies, opticians, or beauty salons. You can fill in the online survey, or visit the project website.
Biomass hydrogen scheme
A programme to produce hydrogen from sustainable biomass and waste has been launched, with £5m of funding on offer from the Government to organisations including small businesses which are developing technologies in this area.
Trade, technical, and pitching webinars
FSB is running three free webinars next week: New year, new markets: practical support on international trade (Mon 17 Jan); Networking - Let's Talk Technical (Wed 19 Jan); and Creating the perfect sales pitch (Thu 20 Jan).
Impact Down Under?
Parliament's International Trade Committee wants to hear about how the UK-Australia free trade agreement will affect businesses across the UK, from agri-food to manufacturing and services. To fill in the 10-minute survey, click here.
The French (data) connection
We are looking to speak to businesses that have had to transfer data to Europe-based servers in order to continue to do business in France. If you have experienced this we would like to hear from you. Please email [email protected] – thank you.
Double Taxation Relief guidance
All of HMRC’s guidance on Double Taxation Relief – for businesses which may be liable for tax in more than one country – has been gathered onto this page.
Plastic Packaging Tax guidance
HMRC has similarly gathered together all of the guidance on the incoming Plastic Packaging Tax, coming into effect on 1 April, on this page.
Sustainable Development Goals survey
The Office for National Statistics is asking businesses to fill in its survey on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, as it looks to build a new monitoring tool on sustainability; the survey is here.
Apprentice-ship opportunity
If you watch The Apprentice every Thursday and think you could do better than the current crop of contestants, and you have a potentially great idea for a business, you can apply for the next series via the BBC’s page.
JOIN BIG VOICE AND MAKE YOUR BUSINESS HEARD
Big Voice is FSB's unique online research community for members. By responding to one of our surveys, members give us the evidence we need to engage with politicians around the world on the subjects that matter to you.