Scrap business rates for childcare providers in England
FSB renewed its call to exempt childcare settings in England from paying business rates, matching the support already given to nurseries in Scotland and Wales. Joining forces with the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), FSB Policy Chair Tina McKenzie, said: “Small childcare providers are having to deal with a barrage of ever-increasing operating costs. At the same time, they must meet strict requirements on staffing levels and training, all while working hard to keep up with the increasing demand for childcare places and providing quality care. Removing business rates bills from the equation would make a huge difference to these small businesses.”
Inflation falls, SMEs hope base rate will follow suit
Inflation fell to 3.2% in March, down from 3.4% the previous month. FSB said that this takes some of the heat off small firms as it was difficult to overstate the toll that the cost-of-doing-business crisis has taken on them. Tina McKenzie, policy chair at FSB, said: “Small firms will now turn their eyes to the Bank of England, and will hope that the base rate cut many have been eagerly awaiting arrives sooner rather than later. We don’t want to risk stifling the small upward movement in GDP recorded in the first two months of this year.”
Small businesses should continue to prepare for EU import changes
Changes to plant and animal-based product imports from the EU are due to take effect in under two weeks, from 30 April as part of the Border Target Operating Model. Although it has been reported that initial numbers of physical checks are expected to be minimal, small firms that import or make use of plant and animal-based products should continue to prepare for the changes.
Small businesses and the self-employed encouraged to lend a hand in The Big Help Out 2024
Small businesses and the self-employed are encouraged to get involved in The Big Help Out, the national day of volunteering on 7-9 June, supported by FSB. FSB research found that 80 per cent of its small business members volunteer in their local communities. If you want to be front and centre of the community event of the year, do what almost 2,000 businesses did last year – reach out and register your activity or look for an opportunity taking place that you, or your staff, could get involved in at https://www.thebighelpout.org.uk/business/
New privacy notice generator launched by ICO
A privacy notice lets people know what information your business has about them and what you will do with it. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has developed a new privacy notice generator tool, in collaboration with FSB, which can create a bespoke privacy notice in just 10 to 15 minutes. The generator creates two types of privacy notices: one for customers and suppliers, and one for staff and volunteers. All organisations that hold personal data must use privacy notices and be fully transparent about how people’s information is processed. Organisations that use the tool are also invited to share their thoughts to help improve user experience.
Championing voter registration
As an ambassador of the Voter Registration Champions campaign, FSB is urging its small business members to champion voter registration to their employees and communities. The initiative aims to mobilise a movement of civil society organisations, community groups and employers to make sure 300,000 at-risk voters can exercise their right to vote at the next General Election. The Voter Registration Champion scheme is an initiative of Citizens UK, supported by the UK Democracy Fund.
Electrifying small business fleets
FSB co-hosted a roundtable with Bankers for Net Zero to explore how SMEs can transition their fleets to electric vehicles (EVs). Topics discussed included barriers around infrastructure, high upfront costs, a lack of supply of EVs available for SMEs and role Government and financial institutions can play in supporting SMEs to move away from petrol and diesel. The event brought together financial institutions, associations representing the leasing industry and logistics businesses, and other business stakeholders. FSB has called for the Government to introduce a scrappage scheme so that diesel commercial vehicles can be recycled in exchange for grants towards cleaner hybrids and zero emission vehicles.
Trade with the United States: SME Dialogue
The latest SME Dialogue took place in Belfast this week with FSB’s policy and advocacy chair, Tina McKenzie, opening the discussion with the chief trade negotiators for the US and UK, while US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland Joe Kennedy III spoke about the continuing importance of a close relationship between the UK and the US, strengthening businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. SME Dialogue brings together businesses, policymakers, and trade organisations to share best practices, discuss opportunities, and identify ways to tackle technical trade barriers. Fifty-nine per cent of small exporters sell goods to the US, with the US being the number one market that UK SMEs wish to enter (FSB, Customs Clearance report, 2023).
New Scotland Office Minister Lord Cameron meets with FSB
The newly appointed Scotland Office Minister Lord Cameron of Lochiel met with FSB’s policy chair for Scotland, Andrew McRae, this week, to discuss key issues facing Scottish small businesses. FSB raised the importance of supporting small firms with persistently high costs, and the ongoing burden of regulatory compliance. Lord Cameron said that he was keen to continue engaging with FSB and its members and build on recent announcements from the UK Government, such as the increase to the VAT registration threshold, to ease the pressure on small businesses.
Have your say on Home Office Critical Reporting Service
The Home Office is inviting suppliers of chemical products - including household cleaning products, cosmetics and beauty products, home DIY products, hobbyist products agricultural supplies and specialist chemicals - to take part in research to help shape the suspicious chemical activity reporting service. You will be compensated in £50 vouchers for participating in the research and your contribution will help shape the design of a service that saves lives, and that you may be legally obliged to use.
Burdened by the tax system? ABAB wants to know the big issues faced by small businesses and the self-employed
The Administrative Burdens Advisory Board (ABAB), an independent body that reports to HMRC, has launched its annual survey which will provide crucial insight into the big issues faced by small businesses (including those who identify as tax agents) in the tax system. Open to sole traders, the self-employed, micro-businesses, and organisations or agents with fewer than 51 employees in the UK, the survey is an opportunity to tell HMRC how you really feel about your experiences dealing with the tax system. The survey takes approximately ten minutes to complete and is open until 30 April. Results will be published in the summer. If you have any questions about the 2024 survey, please email: [email protected]
Want to find out more about T Level placements?
Small firms interested in finding out more about providing a T Level industry placement can sign up to a series of webinars and in-person conferences over the coming months. Run by the Department for Education and Strategic Development Network, the events will look at the practicalities involved with the placements and how they can support workforce development plans, as well as what government support is available to businesses.
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