Looking ahead to this year’s Black Friday, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chairman Mike Cherry said: “A lot of small firms are pinning their hopes to a bumper festive season after last year’s restrictions debacle. We’re urging everyone to get behind …

“Let’s make this a Small Business Black Friday”, firms urge, as retailer confidence tumbles Read more »

Responding to the launch of a new government consultation regarding single-use plastics, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chair Mike Cherry said:   “Small businesses are right behind the Government’s efforts to stamp out use of harmful single use plastics. The majority are proactively …

Small firms back step away from single-use plastics with right support Read more »

Responding to the Government’s announcement regarding its Integrated Rail Plan (IRP), Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chairman Mike Cherry said: “Confirmation that a significant section of HS2 is not going ahead will come as a big disappointment to small firms right …

Small firms worry levelling up going off track after HS2 update Read more »

Responding to the launch of the Government’s Export Strategy, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chair Mike Cherry, said: “This strategy marks an important intervention. Properly executed, it will open up a lot of opportunities for small exporters, whilst helping to address some …

Export Strategy brings real opportunities, say small business owners Read more »

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) calls for government analysis of planned hike to National Insurance contributions (NICs) as Small Business Index (SBI) shows hiring intentions dropping Exports tumble, with few fully prepared for imposition of import checks; finance applications hit …

Where is assessment of NICs hike impact on jobs? Small firms ask, as confidence resurgence loses steam Read more »

New Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show economic growth slowed in Q3 2021, with the level of quarterly GDP now 2.1% below where it was before the coronavirus pandemic hit. The UK’s trade balance fell to a deficit of -1.2% of …

GDP figures show “scale of mammoth task”, say small firms, as jobs tax hit on horizon Read more »