FSB: Official: Record fuel costs hit jobs and economic growth

Figures from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) show that rising fuel costs are already having a dramatic effect on the UK economy by stifling growth and employment.

In an FSB poll of over 9,000 small business owners, more than 80 percent said that fuel costs are likely to make it more difficult for them to expand their business and hire more staff in the next 12 months. Nearly 40 percent said that fuel costs would make it likely that they will have to reduce staff numbers in the next 12 months.

With small businesses contributing over half of UK GDP, the figures make worrying reading. The FSB is calling on the government to set up a mechanism whereby higher than expected tax revenues from North Sea oil would trigger corresponding reductions in fuel duty.

John Wright, FSB National Chairman, said:

“Small businesses are reaching breaking point and if something is not done about rising fuel prices very quickly then we will have a major economic crisis on our hands.

“The UK’s 4.5 million-strong small business community simply cannot cope with the cost of fuel rising at these rates. The problem is affecting every type of business in every area of the country.

“The most frustrating thing is that the government can do something about it. Its estimate of the cost of North Sea oil in the last Budget was well below the actual cost, which means that tax revenues have been well above expectations. Why can’t they use this extra money to reduce fuel duty and ease the pain for the millions of small businesses that keep the UK economy afloat?”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Of the 9364 small business owners who responded to the question “Is it likely to be more difficult to expand your business and hire new staff over the next 12 months as a result of rising fuel prices and other cost increases?”, 80.4 percent said it was either very likely or fairly likely, 17 percent said it was not very likely or not at all likely and 2.6 percent had no opinion.

2. Of the 9328 small business owners who responded to the question “Is it likely that you will have to reduce your staff numbers over the next 12 months as a result of rising fuel prices and other cost increases?”, 38.9 percent said that it was very likely or fairly likely, 53 percent said it was not very likely or not at all likely and 8.1 percent had no opinion.

3. The FSB is Britain’s biggest business organisation with over 215,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk.

Contacts:

Stephen Alambritis: 020 7592 8112 / 07788 422155
Simon Briault: 020 7592 8128 / 07917 628998

For regional FSB contacts please go to www.fsb.org.uk/regions