FSB meets with Chancellor on small business growth
Chancellor Rachel Reeves met with the Federation of Small Businesses’ policy chair, Tina McKenzie, at 11 Downing Street, about key issues that small businesses are facing. Discussions included how to create a regulatory environment that works better for all small firms. FSB recently wrote to several of the UK’s regulators with a set of proposals that would help drive small business growth.
T Level placement changes are a step forward for small employers
FSB has welcomed a number of changes to T Level industry placements introduced by the Government this week. The updates to T Levels, which are in line with recommendations from FSB’s Scaling Up Skills report, are intended to help employers in England offer more comprehensive industry experience. The changes include allowing more students to complete a percentage of placement hours remotely; broader occupational subject placements; and the ability to do up to a third of placement hours on the provider site to help develop technical skills. More information is available on the Gov.uk website.
FSB briefs new MPs on access to finance
New MPs who were elected for the first time in last year’s General Election have been briefed on the important roles that both FSB and the British Business Bank (BBB) play within the small business community. The two organisations jointly held an event in Parliament on Tuesday. FSB’s senior government affairs advisor, Tom Blenkinsop, led discussions, outlining how FSB supports and advocates for small firms at national, regional and local levels. A number of crucial small business issues were looked at, including the importance of adequate access to finance for small businesses and how the BBB’s programmes help SMEs to scale-up and grow their business.
Last chance for small firms to have a say on future regulation in FSB’s survey
There’s still time for small businesses to take part in FSB’s Regulation Survey before it closes on 29 January. Whether it’s about data protection, product safety and standards, or workplace health and safety, FSB would like to hear your views about what regulators and Government can do to mitigate the challenges that small businesses experience.
New requirements for EU imports to take effect
From 31 January, all EU imports into Great Britain will require Safety and Security declarations, which aim to prevent illicit goods such as drugs and weapons from entering the country. Failure to complete a security declaration for imported goods can result in financial penalties, and goods being held for additional checks. HMRC is encouraging small businesses to start submitting declarations as soon as possible, to aid businesses in acclimatising to the changes. More information about the new requirements is available through the Gov.uk website.
FSB tells Scottish Parliament about the importance of local procurement
FSB gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee on the progress of the City Region and Regional Growth Deals this week. FSB’s Deputy Head of Policy in Scotland Vikki Manson told the Committee that while results across the country for Regional Growth Deals had been varied in their success, the Edinburgh City-Region Growth Deal had reported an average increase of nearly 80 per cent in local procurement spending, adding that the results were “incredibly encouraging” so far. She said that the increase in procurement spending demonstrates the difference that proactive steps to open procurement processes can make to the growth of small businesses.
Hot topics on the menu as cabinet minister visits Danish bakery
The traditional snegls and spandauer pastries weren’t the only things being chewed over as FSB Wales took the Welsh Secretary, Jo Stevens MP, to visit the Brød Danish Bakery in Cardiff. Some of the main challenges currently facing small businesses across Wales and beyond were on the menu. During the visit, the importance of adequate access to skills was discussed, as well as the impact of changes to National Insurance Contributions on small businesses.
The Apprentice: Lord Sugar is looking for his next big investment
Entrepreneurs and would-be start-up owners who think they’ve got what it takes to impress “Britain’s toughest backer”, Lord Sugar, can apply to take part in the BBC’s The Apprentice series 20. The winning candidate will receive an investment of up to £250,000 and will go into 50:50 partnership with Lord Sugar. Applications are now open on the BBC The Apprentice website.
Navigating patents: IPO launches new search tool
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched its new One IPO Search tool, which allows businesses and innovators to search for any existing registered patent in the UK. The search tool can be used to check if similar patents to innovations and inventions already exist in the UK, to view who owns an existing patent, or find supplementary protection certificates.
Women entrepreneurs in the UK could be big in Japan
The UK and Japanese Governments are hosting a joint seminar for women entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners who are interested in expanding their business’s trade with Japan. Attendees will hear from representatives from UK women-led businesses, as well as Japanese trade and Government experts on how to expand their trade to Japanese markets. More information on the free seminar, which takes place on 6 February can be found on the Department of Business and Trade’s website.
Testing times for Companies House
Companies House is looking for small business owners to take part in a new system test pilot for its ‘find and update company information’ service before it’s rolled out to all website users. Participants will still be able to search all relevant information through the Companies House website. To take part, business owners should email [email protected], confirming their registered email address.
New chance to tell HMRC your views on its digital services
HMRC is inviting business owners to take part in a survey to help improve the quality of its digital services. Feedback from the survey will be vital in shaping both current and future HMRC digital services, with the aim of improving user experience. The survey is open until 21 February.
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