The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has published its West Yorkshire Mayoral Manifesto. In it the FSB calls on the candidates in May’s Mayoral election to put small business at the heart of plans to grow the West Yorkshire economy.
The manifesto sets out sets out ways that small businesses can help a Mayor create a thriving West Yorkshire, a successful economy and vibrant communities. Key asks include help for young people to learn key employment skills, a campaign to increase reporting of business crime, better using levelling up funding in West Yorkshire and speeding up local planning.
The FSB also calls for small business interests to be better understood and considered when making policies. In particular, they want to see a process that ensures when policies are decided, there is a check to ensure there is not a disproportionate cost for small businesses.
Merewyn Sayers, owner of Sayers Solutions and FSB West Yorkshire Area Lead, said, “Small businesses are too often overlooked and underappreciated. This is despite 99% of businesses in West Yorkshire being SMEs who employ more than half of those working in the private sector. A successful Mayor cannot afford to overlook small businesses. We can help them better understand the challenges small business face”.
Martin Duddridge, owner of Ideal Autolease and FSB West Yorkshire Area Lead, said, “Small businesses are at the heart of the West Yorkshire economy and at the heart of West Yorkshire communities. They create local jobs, grow and help keep money within local communities. Small businesses support communities in the good times and, as we have seen in recent years, they stick around even when the going is not so good”.
The Mayoral Manifesto has been sent to all candidates and the FSB will continue working with all West Yorkshire decision makers to help them best support small businesses to grow the local economy.
Read the FSB West Yorkshire Mayoral Manifesto here