Scrap the tourist tax, say business leaders at Heathrow Airport
FSB teamed up with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Heathrow Airport as part of a campaign to introduce tax-free shopping for international visitors. This comes ahead of next month’s Spring Budget. FSB’s Chief of External Affairs, Craig Beaumont, took part in a roundtable at Heathrow Airport on Monday alongside other business leaders, where he said the scheme would bring in “more visitors, more spend, more growth and prosperity, more jobs and more consequential tax revenues”. The campaign was featured in various media outlets, including the Sunday Times, Guardian, and Financial Times.
Late payments: Praising big companies for paying the small ones on time
This week, FSB backed the Good Business Charter’s Good Business Week. The highlight was Timely Tuesday, a day when FSB and Good Business Pays (GBP) held an event to spotlight companies like McDonalds and Clarins, who consistently settle their bills quickly. During the awards ceremony, held at FSB’s Westminster office, GBP founder, Terry Corby, thanked those firms for setting an example all big firms should aspire to. Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake also attended, and he said: “Businesses don’t go bust because they’re making a loss, they go bust because they have no cash.”
Access to cash: Proposals are a good starting point
FSB responded to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) consultation on maintaining access to cash, as the consultation period came to an end. The consultation’s proposals include efforts to enhance transparency about how the FCA assesses cash access and taking extra steps to prevent unreasonable delays. FSB National Chair Martin McTague told Finextra that these are a good starting point, but the proposals need to go further and consider the alarming rate at which banks are closing. He added: "Now is the time for the FCA to shore up and defend a flexible payments ecosystem which can not only support small businesses and vulnerable communities with cash, but can also help to prepare the infrastructure for a diverse range of payment options."
National Apprenticeship Week 2024
FSB marked the 17th annual National Apprenticeship Week by showcasing some of its members and their apprentices on social media channels, including X, and LinkedIn along with its recommendations on how to improve the system. Employers thinking of taking on an apprentice – or building on their existing offering - can visit the Department for Education’s ’Employers Guide to Apprenticeships’ YouTube video playlist, which FSB helped compile.
NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap: Get ready for April 2024
From 1 April, the NHS will proportionately extend the existing Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) requirements to cover all procurements. These requirements are part of the NHS net zero supplier roadmap. The NHS strongly encourages all suppliers to prepare for the roadmap milestones. Small businesses can ensure they are ready by reading the updated guidance and attending a webinar to learn more about the requirements and ask any questions. Further information for any SMEs experiencing difficulty in gathering their emissions data is included in the guidance.
Strengthening trade links between the UK and Spain
FSB formed part of the jury for the inaugural Premio PYME award at the Spanish Embassy in London, this week. The Premio PYME is an award developed by the Spanish Chambers of Commerce to recognise the achievements of Spanish small businesses in the UK. Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake and the Spanish Ambassador both spoke about the enduring and close relationship between Spain and the UK, and the importance of small businesses in strengthening international trade.
Learn about trading with Australia and New Zealand
SMEs can join businesses and trade experts at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Australia and New Zealand roadshow this March. The roadshow will visit six UK cities: Birmingham, Belfast, London, Cardiff, Manchester, and Dundee. It will feature interactive and networking sessions, provide details on the new Free Trade Agreements, and offer the chance to speak directly with DBT teams from Australia and New Zealand.
DBT survey: Trading services abroad
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is looking for UK businesses that provide services to clients overseas for a new survey. This confidential and anonymous research will be used to help DBT gauge how long SMEs spend on activities such as getting visas and protecting intellectual property rights in order to shape future policy. To take part, please email: [email protected] by 16 February.
British Business Bank: Unlocking potential
The British Business Bank (BBB) is tackling financial barriers head-on, ensuring every entrepreneur, regardless of location, gender, or ethnicity, has equal opportunity to grow. With a £1.6 billion pledge, the initiative is rolling out substantial investment funds across the UK, targeting underserved regions and fostering growth. From the Northern Powerhouse to the new South-West Investment Fund, this strategy promises to fuel sustainable economic growth and innovation. For more information, visit the British Business Bank’s website.
New online services guidance for small businesses
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has introduced new guidance for small businesses on how to use online services safely. This aims to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks for small firms which might not have specialized IT or support teams. For more information, contact the NCSC.
Scotland: Small firms need fairer procurement rules
FSB’s Head of Policy and External Affairs in Scotland, Stacey Dingwall, gave evidence to the Scottish Government’s Economy Committee about how to ensure small firms are treated fairly when bidding for public contracts. She called for upcoming legislation from the Scottish Government to include rigorous targets to protect SMEs during the procurement process. According to FSB’s Big Small Business Survey, 71 per cent of Scottish small businesses have never tendered for or bid on a public contract due to the cost, resource requirements, and complex tendering processes involved. The full committee session can be viewed online.
Wales: Supporting small business owners’ mental wellbeing
In an interview with BBC Wales Live, FSB’s South Wales Development Manager, Rob Basini, discussed the impact of burnout on small business owners. According to FSB’s Business Without Barriers report, over a third of small businesses experienced a decline in their mental health during the pandemic. Since then, small firms have been faced with a cost of doing business crisis and a range of increased pressures, exacerbating what was an already difficult situation for many. In the interview, Basini discussed the demands and responsibilities of owning a small business and how they can impact a person’s health and well-being. FSB offers support that can be accessed through its Wellbeing Hub. The full interview can be viewed online.
Northern Ireland: FSB sets out priorities for new Government
FSB’s Northern Ireland Policy Chair, Alan Lowry, set out FSB’s priorities for the new Northern Ireland Executive, which met this week for the first time in two years. The Assembly sat last Saturday with Michelle O’Neill appointed as First Minister and Emma Little-Pengelly appointed as Deputy First Minister. The Executive met on Monday, where Ministers were joined by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who welcomed the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland. The Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also visited Stormont, meeting with Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly.
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