In summary
Following on the from the UK Budget, next up we have the Scottish Government Budget on 4th December. Tell us, what Government support you need to help your business thrive in 2025.
As usual we’ve plenty of learning and networking events to keep you engaged in the build up to Christmas, but don’t forget our back catalogue of events too. Visit our events page for more and to book your place!
Featured news and events
FSB Scotland: Employment allowance rise welcome from Chancellor in tax-raising Budget
The increase to the employment allowance for small businesses by a record amount is a very welcome move and we’re pleased the Chancellor has heard us loud and clear. The move to more than doubling it, from £5,000 to £10,500, will shield the smallest employers from the jobs tax, and is therefore a pro-jobs prioritisation in a tough Budget.
Larger small, and medium-sized, businesses will struggle with the rises on employer national insurance on top of the large costs from the Government’s employment law plans. We’ve been very clear in our warning of the difficulty SMEs will be confronted with in meeting all of these changes at once – and the potential impact on jobs, wages and prices.
Attention will now turn to the Scottish Government’s draft Budget on 4 December and in particular what it decides to do for our struggling retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, who in England are set to benefit from extended rates relief. FSB Scotland will continue to call for Scottish Ministers to pass on similar relief to these key sectors.
Read more on our budget response here.
If you have any views or opinions on the recent UK Government Budget or indeed the forthcoming Scottish Budget, please contact us using the details below or by e-mailing: [email protected]
Scotland Virtual Networking- 14 November
Meet new contacts and build your network. Our virtual networking gives you a chance to network and make new contacts from across the country. Grab a coffee and join us for this relaxed and informal session hosted by Development Manager, Mike Duncan who will also make sure you’re up to speed on FSB member benefits.
In other news
Sexual harassment in the workplace – changes you need to know about
From 26 Oct there’s a new legal duty on employers in England, Scotland and Wales, requiring them to actively take steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Join FSB for an event where we’ll help you to ensure your business is up to speed, with insight and guidance from experts at FSB Legal and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Key topics:
- New legal duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees in the workplace.
- The preventative duty includes prevention of sexual harassment committed by another worker, an agent acting on behalf of the employer and third parties (such as customers, clients or contractors).
- The steps small business owners should be taking to be compliant with the new legislation.
- The potential changes to the duty that the Employment Rights Bill could bring forward.
Still in the news
FSB and Press & Journal Small Business Focus
We’re delighted to work with the Press and Journal in the North, to bring you a Small Business Focus feature every week – and this could be you!
Recently, we’ve featured FSB members:
- Paul Rodnight, of Cruise Loch Ness, Fort Augustus
- Duncan Ireland, of Inverness Whisky
- Declan Ramsey, of DramCo, Inverness
- Nadia Fyvie-Feldmann, of Show Consulting, Grantown
If you’re interested in being a Small Business Focus contributor, please get in touch.
HIE Green Grant Fund
The Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) Green Grant Fund aims to support businesses and social enterprises across the Highlands and Islands (inc. Moray) to transition to net zero.
The funding is a non-repayable grant of up to £250,000, which will cover between 10% and 40% of the total cost of a project. The minimum grant award is £20,000. Projects with a total cost of £50,000 or less are therefore unlikely to be eligible.
Projects can include anything that helps businesses and social enterprises to reduce carbon emissions and make progress towards achieving net zero, for example through energy efficiency measures, renewables, or waste management.
HIE will prioritise projects based in remote and rural areas where applicants may be eligible for up to 50% funding.
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email: [email protected]
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