In summary
How has 2024 been for your business? What are your aspirations for 2025? We’ll shortly be launching our Big Small Survey, with the findings used to inform and lobby decision makers on your behalf. But you can always let us know your pains and successes using the contact details below.
If you’re looking for more information or support or have any specific questions or business issues you want to raise, please do get in touch!
Featured news and events
FSB Scotland calls for a Budget to protect jobs
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland has set out the key priorities for small businesses from the Scottish Budget in order to protect jobs.
FSB Scotland policy chair, Andrew McRae, said the Budget on 4 December will be critical for the future of many of the country’s 330,000 small businesses, which together employ 900,000 people. FSB research shows sharply rising costs are continuing to put pressure on small Scottish enterprises, with the majority experiencing increases of at least triple the rate of inflation and some seeing rises of 10% or more.
Read the full press release here.
Also, check out our Facebook page as we introduce some of our fab members who talk about the support they’re looking for ahead of the budget.
Scotland Women in Business
Established in 2020, this virtual event aims to give attendees the chance to meet other female business owners to expand their business networks, discuss key issues and challenges they face in their businesses in a constructive and confidential setting. Business owner and FSB Region Chair (Scotland), Pauline Weddell, will lead and host this meeting on 10 December. She will be joined by guest speaker and North East Scotland member, Donna Christie.
In other news
Helping your businesses stay warm for less this winter
During colder months, even the smallest inefficiencies will waste hard-earned profits, increase carbon footprints, and impact a business and its staff’s comfort and productivity. So, to help businesses stay warm for less, Business Energy Scotland’s advisors have put together a new guide packed with quick and easy tips that businesses can start implementing right away to save energy – and money. They are also offering a series of free training webinars designed to help businesses learn practical ways to reduce energy use, cut costs and stay comfortable through the colder months. For more information, click here.
Highland Visitor Levy Consultation launches
The Highland Council has launched a formal consultation regarding the introduction of a Visitor Levy or “Tourism Tax”. Running until 7 February 2025, the proposal seeks to charge anyone staying in visitor accommodation such as hotels, guest houses, B&B’s, self-catering units, a levy of 5% of their stay (accommodation costs only). The Levy would be collected direct by the accommodation provider with the council aiming to introduce this charge by mid-2026.
Still in the news
FSB and Press & Journal Small Business Focus
We’re delighted to work with the Press and Journal in the North, to bring you a Small Business Focus feature every week – and this could be you!
Recently, we’ve featured FSB members:
- Nadia Fyvie-Feldmann, of Dhow Consulting, Grantown
- Steve Elton, of Caledonia Hosiery, Forres
- Lee Bruce, Bruce Environmental Services, Inverness
If you’re interested in being a Small Business Focus contributor, please get in touch.
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 on 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
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.
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