FSB: Mis-selling trial could have been avoided

Quarter of firms unaware of the biggest change to PAYE for 60 years

Listen to the Today Programme (54m) discuss figures from the FSB's 'Voice of Small Business' survey panel which show that a quarter of small firms are unaware that there will be a major change to the way they run their payroll, known as Real Time Information, in six months time. Only 16 per cent were aware of the changes and 60 per cent have had no communication from HMRC. Opposition MPs Toby Perkins and Liam Byrne joined our call for better communication on Twitter. Read the press release, view the results and read coverage in the Financial Times, This is Money and on the BBC.

Mis-selling trial could have been avoided, says FSB

The FSB said that the outcome between Guardian Care Homes and Barclays on mis-selling, which will go on trial, could have been avoided if an independent scheme was in place. The FSB has been calling for an independent scheme to be set up to avoid the route of litigation. Read the comment, find out why it is a problem and read coverage in the Financial Times, Independent, Guardian, Channel 4 News, Reuters and Daily Telegraph.  Listen to National Policy Chairman, Mike Cherry talk to Nicky Campbell on 5 Live Breakfast (1h 43m) before the hearing took place.

FSB cautious over Heseltine Review

The FSB has welcomed proposals around skills in Lord Heseltine's review, but has concerns over some of the proposals. The FSB believes that rather than pooling enterprise funding, it should have looked at the Small Business Administration which could co-ordinate small business policy. Read the comments in the Financial Times and the Evening Standard.

Schools and business leaders must work together to boost apprenticeships

In a new report, the FSB is calling for schools in England to increase their engagement with small firms, as new research shows only nine per cent of small firms have taken on an apprentice in the last 12 months. The FSB says that by working with local firms, schools can gain a better understanding of what they need from young people. Read the press release,  view the report and read coverage on StockMarketWire.

Firms should pay the living wage

Listen to Mike Cherry talk to the Today Programme on calls for all firms to pay the Living Wage. He stresses that businesses will pay what they can afford in these difficult economic conditions.

Parliamentary Update

Angus MacNeil MP and Mike Crockart MP both mentioned our concerns about the high level of Air Passenger Duty during a debate on the tax. Department for Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker mentioned a meeting he’d had with the FSB while talking about the work the Government were doing to inform small businesses about the opportunities available in being suppliers for the Green Deal. Lord Glenarthur asked whether the Government had consulted with employer groups, including the FSB, on plans to increase the Reserved Forces and employer support.

Open to Export

UKTI has launched a free online service called Open to Export to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with information, advice and guidance on exporting overseas.

Get Mentoring launches High Five campaign!

For every FSB member that trains for free as a mentor in November, Lloyds Banking Group will donate £5 to Young Enterprise.

Careers Guidance

David Pollard, FSB Policy Chair for the Education, Skills and Business Support Committee, gave oral evidence on careers guidance to the Education Select Committee this week. He stressed the need to inspire young people by making sure they know about the full range of careers available to them, including entrepreneurship and small businesses. He also said that quality careers advice must be available from a young age.