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
Budget under-delivers for small businesses
FSB’s verdict on the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget speech on Wednesday (27 October) was that while there were some welcome measures, it did not deliver enough to meet the Government’s ambition for a high-growth, high-productivity, high-wage, low-tax economy. FSB National Chair Mike Cherry said: “[Against] a backdrop of spiralling costs, supply chain disruption and labour shortages, is there enough here to deliver the Government’s vision for a low-tax, high-productivity economy? Unfortunately not.”
FSB welcomed the announced reforms to business rates in England, with the multiplier frozen for a year and with changes to how green investments are treated, along with a 50% discount for businesses in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors. However, we think a wider rethink of the system is needed.
We were disappointed not to see the Chancellor announce an increase in the Employment Allowance, as we have called for to offset the damage to employment levels that next year’s rise in National Insurance contributions will cause. We will continue to fight for the allowance to be raised, especially in light of the news that the National Living Wage will go up as of next April, adding to the cost pressures many employers face.
FSB Net Zero conference
Our Small Business Virtual Conference: The Journey to Net Zero will take place next Tuesday (2 November), and hundreds of small businesses have already signed up to attend. An informative and inspiring roster of speakers, including the Government’s Net Zero Business Champion Andrew Griffith MP, will give practical advice and help you cut through any confusion around how best to put your business on a more sustainable footing, and the conference is free to attend.
UKCA webinars
Exporters who wish to learn more about the UK conformity assessment marking system for goods can sign up to a series of free Government webinars – see here for more details.
Export helpline – feedback welcome
Have you used the Government's new export support service? We're looking for feedback on the new Department for International Trade export hotline. Get in touch with [email protected] – thank you.
Disability at work – survey
We’re asking FSB members to share their opinions on disability, health and wellbeing at work – everything from mental health and flexible working to sick pay. Your responses will help us make the views of small businesses on these vital topics heard by the Government. Click here to take the survey.
Corporate insolvencies up in Q3
The Insolvency Service has released the corporate insolvency statistics for Q3 2021 in England and Wales, which show that “the number of company insolvencies was 17% higher than in Q2 2021 and 43% higher than in Q3 2020”, driven by an increase in Company Voluntary Liquidations, which were at their highest level since Q2 2009. Overall corporate insolvencies during the quarter were however still lower than they were prior to the pandemic, due to the decreased numbers of other types of insolvency procedure compared to pre-Covid levels.
Net zero finance report
Just Zero, a new report from the Financing a Just Transition Alliance, recommends that small businesses should be offered “blended financial and non-financial support on the just transition” to net zero from banks, investors, and financial institutions. Read the report here.
Flood advice
With flood warnings in force over many parts of the country, read more about what you should do as a small business owner in the event that your premises are affected by flooding, with a checklist of steps to take from FSB Insurance Service.
Matched fundraising for small business charity drives
If your small business is looking to launch a festive charity campaign, to raise funds for a good cause through donating a portion of sales, Work for Good has set up a partnership programme to help you set up a Commercial Participation Agreement with your chosen charity. In addition, this year there is a £50,000 match funding pot, to double the impact of your fundraising efforts. Get involved here.
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.