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increase the proportion of new starts that thrive. As an organisation, we also need to constantly respond to the new challenges that all smaller businesses face. With most now affected in some way by cyber-attacks, we are introducing comprehensive protection and advice, an area where small and micro businesses are underserved. This both encourages better preparation and a rapid response to those targeted.
“ 2017 will see a big push in HMRC’ s Making Tax Digital plans, as the government makes it mandatory for smaller firms to provide a digital tax report on a quarterly basis. I am dead-set against these proposals. At a time when we need businesses to grow, government should not be putting in place a mandatory new tax regulation that will cost businesses on average £ 2,770. Smaller firms are the secret to UK success, not a cash cow for the treasury. FSB is lobbying intensely to persuade
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ministers to improve these proposals, which should be voluntary and phased. They should begin by using thresholds to remove more of the smallest businesses from the regime – those who will be least able to cope.
Poor payments crisis
“ Late and poor payment practice from larger firms remains a huge issue for smaller businesses in every corner of the UK. We now face a poor payments crisis. If this is not tackled, then every year 50,000 businesses will die – leaving £ 2.5bn of GDP missing – purely due to late payments. Members will be upping the pressure in 2017, where we want to see reforms promised two years ago now toughened up, and delivered. With 30 per cent of payments typically late, and finance directors of large firms squeezing smaller firms to improve their own cash flow, we need to see concrete action
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and results. In addition to the Duty to Report regulations coming in and a Small Business Commissioner being appointed, FSB succeeded in putting supply chain respect at the heart of the government’ s Corporate Governance Green Paper. We now need to see that enacted so that there is a whole-board ownership of prompt payment practices.
“ It’ s been our responsibility, since FSB was set up in 1974, to shine a light on the challenges that the self-employed face. We are in effect the trade union for the self-employed, and we champion their interests in everything that we do. That’ s why it’ s so encouraging to see the government and indeed the opposition committing to policy reviews for the self-employed. We wish to see a statutory definition for self-employment, as well as parity of benefits such as maternity pay – this is the right way to ensure the growth in self-employment continues.
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“ In short, it’ s not just Brexit – there is a lot to do, to make this an economy that truly works for everyone. We are preparing for whatever Brexit may bring, and the economic challenges we now expect. As a grassroots campaigning
organisation, we will have a chance to discuss our hopes and together decide how we take our movement forward. This has been my first year as National Chairman. As we look to the coming months, I look forward to ensuring that smaller businesses get the right support to thrive. Our country’ s future depends upon our smaller businesses success.”
Manifesto for a Mayor
The Federation of Small Businesses( FSB) has set out its vision for how Greater Manchester’ s first‘ Metro Mayor’ could supercharge the region’ s businesses and jobs.
‘ The 12-page document outlines how the new mayor could boost the region’ s 105,000 businesses and jobs, and deliver sustained and achievable long term economic growth
’ The FSB( Manchester region) published its business manifesto ahead of the region’ s mayoral election on 4th May. The 12-page document outlines how the new mayor could boost the region’ s 105,000 businesses and jobs, and deliver sustained and achievable long term economic growth.
Key business issues covered in the manifesto range from transport and infrastructure
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projects, to roads, education and skills, business rates and digital infrastructure, among others. There’ s also a section devoted to the Northern Powerhouse, which details how the Metro Mayor should help shape that plan as it evolves in relation to Greater Manchester.
For each issue the FSB manifesto identifies, the document makes practical suggestions for how each might be addressed by the new mayor, who will take office on 5th May. The new elected mayor will have responsibilities covering the police and fire service, planning, housing and transport.
FSB regional chairman for Manchester, Simon Edmondson, said:“ Between now and May the devolution debate is going to really ramp up, and we want to make sure business is at the top of the agenda.”
A copy of the FSB’ s Manchester Mayoral Manifesto is available via the FSB website.
www. fsb. org. uk
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