COVID-19: THE LATEST
For 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 receive reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines - access the toolkit for help with internal awareness efforts.
The Government's guidance on how to work safely during coronavirus in England is regularly updated.
LATEST NEWS
#TradeWeek Export Strategy
On Wednesday, the Department for International Trade launched its Export Strategy as part of a plan to increase UK exports to £1 trillion by 2030. The plan embraces many recommendations outlined by FSB in our Ready to Launch report, including a revamped Trade Access Programme, increased information about the benefits of new free Trade Agreements, greater export finance options, and measures to facilitate paperless trade. FSB Chair Mike Cherry welcomed the strategy, saying that, properly executed, it would "open up a lot of opportunities for small exporters, whilst helping to address some of the challenges they currently face on a daily basis".
Rail plan release
The following day the Government published its Integrated Rail Plan, setting out a £96bn package of rail construction and upgrades for the Midlands and the North of England. The plan confirmed press speculation that a significant section of the HS2 eastern leg to Leeds would be scrapped, with a new route from Warrington to Manchester ending at the 'western border' of Yorkshire. FSB National Chair Mike Cherry said small businesses need guarantees "that the investment being promised will deliver the same benefits as the original plans where passenger and freight capacity are concerned". "For the sake of business travel, tourism, supply chains, international trade, and levelling up in the round, that same additional capacity needs to be there," he added. His intervention was covered by the FT, City AM and Politico.
Q3 SBI
The latest full Small Business Index (SBI) report is now live - thanks to all those who participated in the research for it via Big Voice. The study finds that rising costs, the increasing burden of taxation and labour shortages are all hampering small business confidence, though the headline reading (+16.4) remains in positive territory. Following the findings, we're urging government to do more to help members with spiralling operating costs by increasing the Employment Allowance, launching a Help to Green initiative and taking more firms out of the business rates system. The release was picked by the Times and Sun.
Card costs
This week also saw news that online retailer Amazon is planning to stop users paying with VISA credit cards as the card provider has upped the fees it charges for facilitating transactions. In the wake of the development, Mike Cherry observed that "small businesses are almost always charged more for card terminals than big corporates - so when online giants start throwing down the gauntlet, you know the situation is becoming critical." The BBC, Guardian, Telegraph and FT were among those that covered the response.
Late payments consultation
The Business Department has just launched a new consultation assessing ways to bring the UK's poor payment culture to an end. The move follows our #FairPayFairPlay campaign and 'Late Again' report, which highlights how lockdowns have exacerbated issues around late and non-payment. We will be responding to the consultation in due course.
Jobs tax flagged in Parliament
SNP Treasury Spokesperson Alison Thewliss flagged concerns about the forthcoming rise in national insurance contributions in the House of Commons this week. During a debate on the Finance Bill, she stated that "These [more positive] measures, however, come in the context of a national insurance hike - a tax on jobs - that the Federation of Small Businesses estimates might have a 7% marginal rate for some. This should have been scrapped and the employment allowance increased, if the Chancellor was serious about helping business owners and employees."
FSB leads the way on digital inclusion
We're donating old tech equipment to help refugees and homeless people with training and education to assist their efforts to find work and get back on to their feet. The move is part of our environmental sustainability drive. We're now urging other small businesses to consider doing the same - our research indicates that most are keen to take steps to combat climate change and commit to responsible business practices.
LATEST OPPORTUNITIES
Chance to be the UK's best international small business
As well as having our recommendations included in the Government's new Export Strategy, we will be recognising small businesses that export and import as part of our annual FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards. The FSB International Business of the Year award is open to both novice and established importers and exporters. Judges will be looking for businesses that can demonstrate how working internationally has benefited their business profitability, growth and strategy. There are many other categories to enter as well - check out PR Week's five reasons to enter.
FSB Webinars
Be sure to register with us to hear about FSB's upcoming events. Next week we'll be hosting sessions on optimising manufacturing processes, recruiting effectively, and going green.
Apprentice grant deadline
Any employer in England who hired an apprentice between 1 April and 30 September 2021 has until 30 November to claim the £3,000 incentive payment for each eligible apprentice.
VOA call for details
The Valuation Office Agency is asking all business ratepayers to send their full and up-to-date details to the VOA, to support Revaluation 2023.
Freeport buildings allowance guidance
Companies which work on construction projects in designated Freeport tax sites can claim enhanced structures and buildings allowance relief, with new guidance from HMRC setting out the types of claim which are eligible.
HMRC tax webinars
HMRC has released recordings of two recent webinars, on Making Tax Digital for VAT and Risks for agencies and other businesses working with umbrella companies operating avoidance schemes, aimed at employers who use temporary labour.
Managing finances
The British Business Bank has launched a new guide to managing business debt covering understanding of debt finance, consolidating borrowings and improving cashflow.
Small Business Commissioner
Struggling to get paid on time by a client? The Small Business Commissioner is the public body dedicated to stamping out poor payment practices. Cases can be raised with them anytime, and on an anonymous basis.
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.