Weekly Brief 11 from the FSB

Confidence improves for UK businesses
Small business confidence has bounced back despite cost pressures after it plummeted at the end of 2011. The FSB's ‘Voice of Small Business’ Index shows that confidence is growing for the first time in a year and small firms are looking to grow, in spite of rising overheads. Read the press release, view the Index and read coverage in the Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, Reuters, City AM and the Daily Express.

Small businesses looking to employ again
The 'Voice of Small Business' Index also showed that small firms are looking to take on staff as confidence picks up. The FSB is calling on Government to build on this optimism by putting in place simple measures in the Budget later this month. Read the press release and coverage in City AM, Guardian, Mirror and in a blog on the Daily Telegraph.

Banks accused of mis-selling
A Sunday Telegraph investigation has highlighted that some small firms have been mis-sold complex and costly financial products by the banks. Read our comments in the Sunday Telegraph and the Daily Mail and tell us if you have been affected.

Taskforce calls for more alternatives to bank finance
A Government Taskforce charged with looking at alternatives to bank finance has issued its report ahead of Budget. In it, it calls for a form of a Small Business Administration to oversee all Government finance initiatives, read our comment on the BBC. City AM has also used FSB figures this week which shows that one in five small firms say the lack of finance is a barrier to growth.

Cable launches a consultation on staff dismissal
Read the FSB’s comments on the BBC website on the launch of a consultation into ‘no fault dismissals’, which means that firms with 10 or fewer staff could fire staff without proving any fault – if they pay compensation.

Further calls for a Small Business Administration
An article in the Daily Telegraph this week furthered our calls for a small business administration, with the London Stock Exchange saying that it believed that a government agency was needed to boost the bond market for small businesses. This is something the FSB has also called for in its recent Alt+ Finance report. In Parliament, Roger Williams MP will present a Ten Minute Rule Bill proposing a Small Business Administration on 27 March. Zac Goldsmith MP has also tabled several written questions on this subject.

The devil’s in the detail
The National Fraud Authority, Telecommunications UK Fraud Forum and Financial Fraud Action UK have launched a new campaign to remind people to ensure that those we share our details with are genuine. Find out more on the Action Fraud website.

Follow the FSB on Facebook
You can follow the activities of the FSB by joining our official fanpage on Facebook. Become a fan to view regularly updated events, photo galleries, lobbying information and have the opportunity to add your own photos and discuss current small business issues.

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