In summary
There is much to look forward to in 2025, not least FSB’s great events line-up, kicking off virtually on 7 January, with our first Edinburgh event set to take place on 21 January. This is also a year when we will find out more about proposals for new Visitor Levies in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, and beyond. It’s going to be a busy year for FSB and we’ll be there to help support your business.
Read on to find out more.
Featured news and events
Edinburgh Visitor Levy
In December, the City of Edinburgh Council concluded its public consultation into the creation of a new accommodation tax for Edinburgh, which aims to charge people staying in the city’s hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, and self-catering properties an additional 5% charge. The Federation of Small Businesses has urged the council to take the necessary time to get this new tax right, to ensure that it works for the many small businesses that will be tasked to collect the tax on the council’s behalf, and to ensure that the monies raised are spent wisely, with a strong business voice helping to prioritise targeted investment in the city’s visitor economy.
In January 2025, the council will meet to determine its plans for the tax and we very much hope that councillors will listen to the voice of the city’s small businesses.
Edinburgh In-Person Networking
Kick off 2025 with some great business networking at Edinburgh’s stylish Bonnie & Wild at the St James Quarter. Our regular networking events in the capital are fast becoming an essential part of the business calendar and the fantastic venue, just a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh’s Waverley station is drawing business owners from far and wide. This is the perfect opportunity to grow your business network and have some fun along the way!
In other news
Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry
The Federation of Small Businesses appeared before Lord Brailsford, who is leading the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry to give evidence on the impact that the pandemic had on Scotland’s smaller businesses. Throughout the pandemic, FSB helped countless businesses to access the support they needed to survive and also lobbied government constantly to open up new streams of financial support for businesses. FSB told the Inquiry of the difficulties some businesses had in accessing support and interpreting guidance, and explained the nature of interactions with local and national government, focusing on the lessons that need to be learned for the future.
You can read more about FSB’s evidence to the Inquiry here and view the full session here.
West Lothian Cyber Security Grant
Technology is fundamental for businesses to operate, however, it creates both opportunities and risks. Cyber security is how organisations reduce the risk of a cyber-attack. Businesses can protect their digital devices and processes in a range of ways. This voucher scheme aims to support businesses to improve their knowledge, understanding and strategy towards handling cyber security and protecting valuable information for the company.
An award of up to £1,000 is available to businesses in West Lothian to help them to achieve the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) endorsed Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certificate. More information can be found here or to register your interest, email [email protected]. Any projects funded must be completed by the 1 March 2025.
Still in the news
Edinburgh Employer Recruitment Incentive
The Edinburgh Employer Recruitment Incentive (EERI) provides the opportunity for employers to access up to £8,000 of funding to contribute towards the costs of recruiting and employing a new employee. This Scottish Government funding is specifically designed to help people who reside in Edinburgh, and may have a perceived employability barrier, to secure fair employment. The fund is administered by City of Edinburgh Council and further information including the online application is available on their website Edinburgh’s Employer Recruitment Incentives (EERI) – The City of Edinburgh Council. You can also get in touch with the EERI team direct (email: [email protected] tel: 0131 529 3139), who are on hand to answer any queries and support you in accessing the funding.
Business Rates
The Scottish Government has published new figures showing that over 96,000 small businesses in Scotland pay no Business Rates thanks to the Small Business Bonus Scheme, lobbied for back in 2007 by FSB Scotland. But did you know about Small Business Transitional Relief? If you started to pay rates for the first time, or your bill increased, as a result of the changes made to the Small Business Bonus Scheme in 2023, you should be getting relief in those bills. This year, 6,800 businesses claimed this relief. If you’re not claiming it, you can make a backdated application. Contact us for more details.
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for the East of Scotland is Garry Clark. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email: [email protected]
- follow us on X: @FSB_GarryC
- follow us on Facebook
- Follow Garry on LinkedIn