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FSB
FSB APPLAUDS LOCAL VOLUNTEERS
KATE HUMBLE PRESENTING FSB VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION EVENT
Leading small business owners from the Cornwall area, who volunteer to support the wider SME community via the UK’s biggest business representation group, have been recognised at a high-profile national event.
The FSB provides opportunities for its members to volunteer to play a key role in giving a big voice to the small business community with political decision-makers and other stakeholders at all levels across the UK.
TV presenter Kate Humble hosted an online ‘Volunteer Recognition’ celebration, where more than 130 entrepreneurs were given thanks for the contribution they make on behalf of small businesses in their local areas.
Among those honoured from the Cornwall volunteer team are area leads Clare Trice of CTCC Credit Solutions and
Edward Chapman (Trailrunning Man), together with volunteer business representative Catherine Smith (Catherine Smith Accountants) and representative to FSB policy unit Craig Carey-Clinch (Rowan Public Affairs).
Clare Trice, who is also an area lead volunteer for FSB Cornwall, said: “This Volunteer Recognition event has left me feeling very proud and humbled to be among so many amazing volunteers from around the country. We have so much to learn from other volunteers and so much to offer businesses here in Cornwall.”
SMALL FIRMS LEFT OUT IN THE COLD
WINNERS AT THE PREVIOUS AWARDS
Responding to the news that the Government-launched support measures to mitigate the impacts of rising energy bills for households and the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee increasing the base rate, the FSB has expressed concern for the lack of consideration of businesses as costs are rising and inflation bites.
A lot of small business owners will be feeling a double hit. First off, exclusion from the Chancellor’s statement regarding support for those struggling with energy bills. And second, a rate rise that will increase repayments on a good deal of personal and professional debt, adding to existing cashflow woes just as tax rises loom.
The organisation is clear that the Government is, of course, right to help households with rising costs. However, there should be help for the smallest firms too, which face many of the same challenges as consumers in the energy market, but without the same protections. The household rebate should be matched by an equivalent business rates rebate, to help the smallest firms which have been weathering these price increases for months already, and which desperately need a measure of protection from the energy crisis storm. Planned support via the council tax system will leave struggling community cafes, convenience stores and restaurants wondering, where is the support via the business rates system? Equally, where is the help to spread bills for the small businesses that create jobs and ensure growth in local economies? These are the very businesses which will be key to the success of the levelling-up agenda, yet the day after the white paper was revealed, they’ve been left out in the cold.
FSB is calling for Government to minimise the risk of sending viable businesses to the wall and take steps like, expand Pay As You Grow to cover CBILS as well as bounce-backs. It is also encouraging policymakers to look again at FSB proposals to enable those with emergency debt, who are just about clinging on, to convert bounce back loans into employee equity stakes thereby alleviating pressures on small firms and spurring productivity. Ten Cornish businesses were in the final of the south west heat of the FSB Awards - Mish, ARCO2 Architecture, Freda’s Peanut Butter, Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park, Harwoods South West, Innovoli, Cosmos Currency Exchange, Your Partnerships, Clean Hands Technologies and Steren Surveyors. Winners were due to be announced on March 2, head over to fsbawards.co.uk to see who won.
On top of all the struggles that small firms are facing, the Government is set to impose a sharp rise in National Insurance contributions and dividend taxation, hitting everyone who works for a living, and all businesses regardless of their current profitability. It’s not too late for a change in course – but the FSB says that it must come sooner rather than later.
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