Draft legislation to permanently cut business rates for small retail, hospitality, and leisure business properties
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) welcomed the Government’s draft legislation to permanently cut business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure business properties, in England, from 2026, following a successful Autumn Budget campaign by FSB. FSB Executive Director Craig Beaumont called the legislation an important step forward, saying: “For too long, permanent business rates reform has been put into the ‘too difficult’ box. It's encouraging to see ministers standing up for small firms on rates, taking the long-term action necessary for the future of our high streets.”
Campaigning for retail, hospitality, and leisure business rates relief in Scotland
FSB is campaigning for business rates relief for retail, hospitality, and leisure operators in Scotland to be maintained in line with the relief for businesses in England, announced in the recent Autumn Budget. The Scottish Budget will be delivered in December, and this week, FSB member John McKee, owner of Hanover Healthfoods, in Edinburgh, and FSB’s Andrew McRae met with Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar about this and other challenges facing small businesses in Scotland.
Small employers to have their say on Employment Rights Bill
Small businesses are invited to share their views on the Government’s new Employment Rights Bill, in FSB’s latest survey. The Bill proposes big changes, such as creating additional protections against unfair dismissal, a formal probation period for new hires and statutory sick pay from the first day of employment. The survey is open until 26 November and only takes eight minutes to complete. FSB recently hosted a webinar about the upcoming employment law changes.
Employing seasonal winter staff
Businesses that employ seasonal or temporary staff must work out who to put into a pension scheme based on the ages and earnings of staff each time they’re paid. This includes members of staff who are only employed for a few days, a few weeks, or several months during the financial year. For small firms with staff whose earnings and hours vary, or who join and leave a business's employment in the middle of pay periods, it can be more complex to assess. The Pensions Regulator offers a free seasonal and temporary staff tool to work out what legal duties apply to a business and what they need to do to remain compliant.
Baby, it’s cold outside (and in the workplace?)
During working hours, the temperature in all indoor workplaces must be reasonable. There’s no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures, e.g. when it’s too cold or too hot to work. However, guidance suggests a minimum of 16ºC, or 13ºC if employees are doing physical work. Employers should keep to health and safety at work law, including keeping the temperature at a comfortable level and providing clean and fresh air for staff. FSB members can access health and safety at work law advice from FSB Legal.
Invest Northern Ireland’s business innovation grant
Invest Northern Ireland’s Business Innovation Grant is now open for applications from small firms, having been launched by Minister for the Economy Conor Murphy MLA this week. The initiative will offer grants between £5,000 and £20,000 to SMEs in Northern Ireland that want to increase innovation, productivity, and competitiveness in their business. Applicants cannot be current Invest Northern Ireland clients and must not have received an Invest Northern Ireland grant in the past five years. Applications are open until 13 December.
2-Step Verification for cyber security
Small businesses that are given the option to use 2-Step Verification (2SV) for any online accounts, should do so, said the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Using 2SV makes it harder for cybercriminals to access your online accounts, even if they know your password or log in details. NCSC recommends that you set up 2SV on your 'important' accounts which includes your email, as criminals with access to your inbox can use it to reset passwords on other accounts. Read more about protecting your accounts in NCSC small business guidance.
Small Business Briefing: Demystifying Productivity
FSB held the first biannual small business briefing in collaboration with the Development Bank of Wales. Sponsored by Paul Davies MS, it brought together small business owners, members of the Senedd, and other stakeholders to discuss challenges facing SMEs in Wales and proposed solutions. These include access to finance and how small business growth could help reduce Wales's productivity gap.
International Trade Week 2024
This International Trade Week 2024, FSB encouraged its small business members to access events to help them start or continue trading across the globe. FSB co-hosted a networking event in Belfast with the Department of Business and Trade and continues to campaign for a streamlined, effective trade infrastructure with small businesses' needs at the centre.
World of Opportunity SME grants
Supported by FSB, Heathrow is calling for SMEs in the UK to come forward and pitch their products to the world. The World of Opportunity programme is designed to support the UK’s SMEs with their export potential, focusing on trade missions, research, and training. The programme, open until 23 December, will provide £2,000 grants to 12 SME businesses across the UK, with one grant awarded to a business from each region and nation.
Consumer law compliance for small businesses
The Competition and Markets Authority published new guidelines for businesses and traders operating through recommendation and comparison sites. This includes refreshed resources for small firms on compliance with the law when advertising services online, from correct complaints processes to properly evidencing claims and services advertised on third-party and comparison sites.
FSB’s Craig Beaumont named on Outstanding Executive Role Model List 2024
FSB Executive Director Craig Beaumont was included in the 2024 Outstanding 100 Executives Role Model List. The list recognises those who have worked to drive inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees throughout their organisation and industry. Craig’s curated the UK's first online LGBTQ+ business hub in 2022, which is now being refreshed to help LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs connect. He has also been a speaker for OutBritain, and worked with FSB’s HR team to ensure all new staff learn how to be an effective LGBTQ+ ally at work.
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Copyright: Federation of Small Businesses (FSB Westminster) 2024. All rights reserved.