FSB: New Labour leader must ‘think small first’

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) urges the new leader of the Labour Party, due to be announced tomorrow, to remember that small businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy and to ‘think small first’, as they host their first Party Conference.

Small businesses are vital to continued economic recovery, yet there are many issues which they face that hinder their growth potential. Through the FSB ‘Voice of Small Business’ survey panel, the views of more than 4,000 members have been collated on various issues which affect them, from broadband speeds, availability of finance and red tape. Key findings show:

. 75 per cent want the UK tax system to be simplified
. 57 per cent are keen to go green and believe that doing so would provide cost savings
. 33 per cent believe too much red tape is hindering the growth of their business
. 63 per cent are unhappy with the speed of their broadband connection and want to see accurate advice from service providers.

The FSB is also holding a fringe event on the recently relaunched Keep Trade Local campaign, to highlight the importance of local shops, to local economic recovery.

John Walker, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“The new leader will take the reins of the Labour party at a difficult time, with a Coalition Government and impending political change. It is important however, that the new leader remembers that small businesses are the biggest employer in the UK and that it is they that will take the UK firmly onto the road to recovery.

“The FSB is proud to be the only business organisation that is truly member-led, with the views of members fully-ensconced in policy decision making, and hopes to be able to give the new leader an insight into the life of a small firm and the issues they face at the Conference.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The FSB is the UK’s leading business organisation with over 213,000 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

The FSB fringe event Keep Trade Local: is it high noon for the high street? Will be held in The Raddison Hotel, Dickens/Thackery Room 7pm – 9pm on Tuesday 28 September 2010.

The FSB will be at stand 138 at the Manchester Conference Centre from Sunday 26 September to Thursday 30 September 2010.

To find out more about the Keep Trade Local campaign, please go to www.fsb.org.uk/keeptradelocal

Media contacts

Stephen Alambritis: 020 7592 8112/07788 422155
Sara Lee: 07595 067068 sara.lee@fsb.org.uk
Prue Watson: 020 7592 8121/07825 125695 prue.watson@fsb.org.uk

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

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