Maxine Aldred

Better Business for All

Federation of Small Businesses

The UK’s leading Business Organisation around 200,000 members

Federation of Small Businesses

•The FSB is non-profit making and non-party political

•The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group

• Proud of our independence – no Government funding

•Lobbying - pressure on MPs, Government and Whitehall and puts the FSB viewpoint over to the media.

•Member Led. Development Managers work alongside members in our regions to further FSB influence at a regional level.

Lobbying and Campaigning

Federation of Small Businesses

24 hr Legal Advice LineLegal Protection PackageFSB Business BankingFSB Card Payment ProcessingFSB Finance for BusinessFSB Insurance Services

FSB PensionFSB Independent Financial ServicesFSB Telecom ServicesFSB MedicalFSB Vehicle PackageFSB Print and Mail

Membership Benefits

Networking eventsCampaigning and Policy

Federation of Small Businesses

•There are over 5.2 million businesses in the UK

• Over 99% of firms employ less than 49 people

• 59% of the workforce (13.7 million) in the SME sector

• 50% of the UK GDP comes from the SME sector

• Over 500,000 people set up their own business each year(2014 saw the largest number of start ups)

• 3.3 million businesses are sole proprietors

Federation of Small Businesses

• Growth aspirations of small businesses are strong and continue to grow

• 65.3% plan to grow over the next year

• 31.9% of firms plan to increase investment in capital in the next 12 months

• Small firms seeing rapidly rising year-on-year productivity

• Net balance of profit and revenue growth continue to rise

FSB Survey – Q2 2015

But regulation continues to be one of the barriers to growth

Federation of Small Businesses

Which THREE of the following actions would most help you comply with regulation?  Exemptions from certain regulations 42%Easier access to advice and information 38%Fewer recording and reporting requirements on regulations 35%Guidance on regulation well in advance of it becoming law 33%One-to-one support on how to best comply with regulation 24%More consistency between inspectors and regulators 16%A longer time period to prepare for a regulation before it becomes law 13%Fewer inspections 5%Other 6%None of these/ Not applicable 17% 

 

Federation of Small Businesses

New Government language

Federation of Small Businesses

North West Leicestershire District Council

BRDO

LLEP

BBfA – the Leicester and Leicestershire Journey

Federation of Small Businesses

Cycle of business

Issues affecting small businesses

Want to be compliant

Motivation – Level Playing Field – Cost Savings

BBfA – We need your help

Federation of Small Businesses

BBfA going forward

Feedback from BBfA Supporting Business Growth

Working with LLEP – Growth Sectors

Business Gateway

Work Programme

Ongoing training

Focus group meeting with Lord Curry

Federation of Small Businesses

Resources

Working smarter

Eyes and ears

BBfA

Federation of Small Businesses

Thank you

Any Questions?