Federation of Small Businesses - FSB Weekly Brief 32

In this week’s issue: pricing in proportion, selling up, road pricing, scam warning, research for TV drama, family business fame, supply chain security and identity fraud.

1. Changes to postal prices coming soon
From August 21st Royal Mail is changing the way it charges customers to send post and will now take size and not just weight into account. The FSB warned that costs and administration for small firms could be increased and a spokesman was quoted in the Sunday Telegraph this week as saying that “the hope is that there will be a bigger blitz of publicity to help with the growing pains as we adapt to the new system.” Policy bods at the FSB would like to hear the views of as many FSB members as possible. To that end, please have a look at the following link to register your thoughts: http://www.fsb.org.uk/data/default.asp?id=404&loc=policy.

2. More small firms selling up
According to some accountants, more than one in four owner/managers of small businesses plan to sell up in the next few years and two-thirds of them have no plans to reinvest the money in another enterprise. The findings were splurged in an article in the Mail on Sunday this week in which Simon Briault, FSB spokesman, said: “A lot of business owners have little confidence in public and private pensions. Their business is their pension and some may be looking to release that wealth.”

3. FSB resists road pricing plans
The Government seems to be planning to scrap the current system of car tax and replace it with a system of charging motorists depending on road use. Rest assured that the FSB is campaigning vigorously on this issue and will fight for what’s best for the little people in the business sector. To help this process, the FSB is looking for the views of as many members as possible and have produced a survey, which can be found here: http://www.fsb.org.uk/surveys/road_pricing.htm.

4. Office of Government Commerce warns of scam
The Office of Government Commerce (OGC), which handles public sector procurement, has issued a warning about fraudsters contacting private sector suppliers to ask them to complete an “Authorization to release financial information” form and to disclose other commercial information via a fax number. The OGC has confirmed that such requests are not from them and warned businesses not to comply with them, but to report them to the OGC Service Desk on 0845 000 4999. More info on their website: www.ogc.gov.uk.

5. What’s it like starting your own business?
Maverick Television would like to know. They’re in the early stages of developing a drama series for the BBC about people starting their own business. They would love to hear from anyone who has been through this experience to get a thorough understanding of the highs and lows of the process. Ideally, this would involve a short telephone interview. If you are interested in telling your story, call David Rose on 0207 874 6612.

6. Family businesses seeking fame
Calling all family businesses! A TV company is looking for families to take part in the challenge of a life-time. Wife Swap, the popular and award-winning series is back and looking for new families, in particular those that all work together and live together. Those interested in finding out more can call 020 7013 4273 or email sarah.rubin@rdfmedia.com.

7. Coming up next week…
Look out for lashings of publicity on small business identity fraud as well as the FSB’s reaction to proposals on supply chain security.

Have a great weekend.