FSB makes the voice of small businesses heard at Labour Party Conference
Representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) attended the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool this week, making sure the small business voice is heard on the employment plans. The week kicked off with the Small Business Forum, which FSB held alongside Labour Business and Visa UK, and saw Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds discuss how Labour will work with FSB to legislate against late payments. FSB’s policy chair Tina McKenzie also held productive meetings with Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas. The Conference speech from Chancellor Rachel Reeves stressed the importance of enterprise. FSB’s chief of external affairs, Craig Beaumont, gave FSB’s reaction on BBC Politics Live and Sky News Business Live, saying the Chancellor’s speech needs to be followed up with a “pro-small business Budget” in October.
Overhaul of apprenticeships in England welcomed by small businesses
FSB welcomed the inaugural Skills England report and the announcement of an overhaul of the apprenticeship system in England to refocus the new ‘Growth and Skills Levy’ on providing opportunities for young people. The new levy will replace the Apprenticeship Levy, a move that FSB had campaigned for. Additionally, new foundation apprenticeships will be introduced; the current 12-month rule will be removed – allowing for flexibility for shorter courses; and funding for lots of Level 7 apprenticeships will be moved outside the scope of the Levy. These changes will mean more opportunities for small businesses to benefit from lower-level apprenticeships and, in turn, provide more young people with openings. FSB will continue to work with Skills England to keep SMEs front and centre of its work by implementing FSB’s further recommendations.
Proposals to crack down on rogue energy brokers
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation looking at toughening the rules governing energy brokers, to make the energy market more transparent for small businesses and for consumers, and to help ensure they get the best possible tariffs. Tina McKenzie, FSB’s policy and advocacy chair, said: “FSB has long called for tougher rules to crack down on questionable practices among a significant minority of third-party intermediaries, to make the energy market work better for small business consumers. This will drive up confidence and create a fair and level playing field for small businesses as they get past the energy crisis and look to the future, with the right deal for them.”
World of Opportunity SME grants take off
FSB has teamed up with Heathrow Airport for the World of Opportunity grant programme, aimed at helping small businesses export goods and services to new international markets. Twelve grants of £2,000 each will be awarded to help SMEs start exporting. This initiative follows FSB’s SME Export Taskforce recommendations which outlined five key priorities to increase SME exports. Small businesses can apply for the World of Opportunity grant through the Heathrow website before 23 December.
Widespread flooding affects the UK: Advice for small businesses
Widespread flooding across parts of the UK, this week, is bad news for many small businesses. FSB has published practical advice about what to do before, during, and after a flood as a small business.
Tourism industry would be bolstered by investing in high streets
On World Tourism Day, 27 September, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) highlighted its blueprint to shore up tourism in the UK by reviving high streets and town centres by better supporting the small businesses on them to flourish. With almost half of all small tourism and hospitality businesses being on, or next to, the high street in the UK, reimagining and reviving high streets for the future is fundamental to a thriving tourism industry. Over half of small hospitality businesses say that the establishment of new tourist attractions or cultural events in the area would be one of the biggest opportunities for the high street, according to a large-scale survey by FSB.
Employment: Right to work documentation
Employees who use physical copies of immigration documents as proof of their right to work in the UK are being urged to transition to using digital documentation (also referred to as eVisa documentation). Digital documentation can be obtained through the gov.uk website. The transition to digital and electronic documentation is being rolled out as part of the Government’s plans to digitise the UK’s border and immigration system fully. More information on the transition to eVisas can be found on the Government website.
Self-assessment tax returns
Self-assessment tax returns for the 2023-24 year can be filed now, ahead of the January 2025 deadline. By filing in advance of the deadline, HMRC says that there will be more time to seek advice and greater flexibility in the choice of payment plans, making it easier to budget. All self-assessment returns can be completed online and are mandatory if you’re self-employed, have a total taxable income of more than £100,000, or need to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
Tackling rural small business crime
This Rural Crime Awareness Week, FSB highlighted how small businesses in rural areas have distinct experiences and concerns compared to small firms in urban areas. For example, small businesses that experience crime in rural areas are more likely to experience burglary or robbery (12%) than small firms in urban areas (9%). More findings and recommendations to tackle small business crime can be found in FSB’s Cracking the Case report.
Northern Ireland party conferences
FSB Northern Ireland attended the DUP’s Party Conference in Belfast this week. It will then represent the interests of small businesses at the Sinn Fein, Ulster Unionist Party, and SDLP Party Conferences, which are taking place in the coming weeks.
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