Federation of Small Businesses - FSB Weekly Brief 35

1. The rise and rise of the one-man/woman-band
Statistics published this week by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Small Business service showed a leap in the number of businesses with one owner/manager. The news is encouraging for the future of the UK’s vibrant small business sector, but could be a sign that some entrepreneurs are finding it difficult to expand or, worse still, that the amount of red tape and admin that has to be waded through once entrepreneurs start taking on employees is putting them off from recruiting. The Financial Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday had the good sense to quote the FSB’s views in articles on the subject this week. More on those stats here: http://www.sbs.gov.uk/SBS_Gov_files/researchandstats/SMEstats2005pr.pdf.

2. FSB fights back after TUC pension claims
A baffling piece of spin emerged from the TUC this week claiming that employers organisations were planning to scupper pensions proposals by asking for a one-year lead-in period for the proposed three percent employer contributions to the new National Pensions Savings Scheme. Where they got their information from is anybody’s guess, but the FSB was quick to point out that a lead-in period of six months before employers would have to begin contributing to employee pensions was a sensible idea, since it fits in with the standard business practice of six-month probation periods before permanent contracts are signed. The Times, The Guardian and the BBC News website ran the story this week.

3. Business rates petition in full swing
The FSB’s campaign to oppose possible plans to restore local authority control over the setting of business rates in England and Wales is in full swing. The Financial Times (FT) covered the story this week, even going as far as publishing the link to the FSB website which tells you who to contact locally for a copy of the petition. If you missed the FT story, here’s that link again: www.fsb.org.uk/regions.

4. Age discrimination laws are one month away
New laws designed to eliminate discrimination the grounds of age will come into force from October 1 and the FSB has been warning that many small businesses will not have a clear idea of what their obligations are because the new legislation is so unclear and poorly worded. Matthew Knowles, FSB spokesman, told the BBC News website this week: “What we don’t need is business owners being hauled in front of employment tribunals, which they cannot afford, all because they have made genuine mistakes.”

5. Government plans more employment laws
The Government is drawing up a package of workplace rights that could see mothers being paid sick leave if their children are ill and given more legal rights to work part-time. The plans are the being put together by Harriet Harman, the Constitutional Affairs Minister. An FSB spokesman told the Daily Mail this week: “There are already 28 Acts of Parliament on employment legislation in law. To force another one through really would be stretching the patience of small firms.”

6. FSB committee member named top bod in occupational health
Cynthia Atwell, an occupational health consultant and member of the FSB’s Health and Safety Committee, has been ranked at number three on a list of the most influential figures in the field of occupational health. Atwell was given the honour in an article in the monthly Occupational Health magazine, which named its top 40 leading lights in the last issue.