FSB comment on Energy Bill, regulation, tax, and more

FSB comment on Energy Bill, regulation, tax, and more

Energy Bill
Some detail of the Energy Bill has been released this week. Read the FSB’s comment which says that the changes could increase costs for small firms and coverage in the Financial Times. The FSB raised concerns in City AM about the proposals to move customers to the cheapest tariff, saying it could erode what little competition there is in the market.

Parliamentary Update
During the Second Reading of the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill in the Commons, Ian Murray MP, Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Mark Williams MP and Margaret Ritchie MP all mentioned our support for the Bill, and for financial penalties to be available to the adjudicator from the outset. Kate Green MP mentioned our figures on the lack of awareness of real-time information by small businesses during a debate on Universal Credit. Lord Harrison quoted our access to finance figures in an oral question in the Lords.

Top 10 regulations
The European Commission is consulting on the most onerous regulations for small businesses and the FSB wants to feed your views in. Whether it is environment, health and safety or employment law that you find the most difficult, we would like to hear about it. The Commission will then analyse the ‘Top 10’ regulations to see how burdens on micros and SMEs can be reduced. We know it can be tricky to identify whether burdens originate from the UK or EU legislation so a topic or the specific regulation will suffice. Need ideas – more can be found here.

Tax update
The FSB has issued a tax briefing document which provides information about HMRC activities and the FSB’s work in this area.

Youth Contract campaign
The Department for Work and Pensions will be promoting the Youth Contract campaign in newspapers and on radio in areas with high levels of youth unemployment. Business could receive a payment of £2,775 if they take on a young person taking part in the Youth Contract. Find out more about the scheme.

Red tape challenge

The Red Tape Challenge website gives businesses the opportunity to highlight regulations which they find to be particularly burdensome. You can use the website to draw attention to any general regulations but each month there is also a specific focus on certain areas of regulation. At the moment the focus is on business services and health living and social care. You can also send an email to highlight burdensome regulations.

Have your voice heard

The FSB survey panel is growing, but we want to hear from more of you to make sure we’re taking the issues that affect you to the heart of Government. Your views are discussed and debated with Ministers and used for FSB media work. Make sure that you have your say and join the survey panel today.