FSB

FOCUS ON SKILLS NEEDS

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is to lead a new project which will look at the future skills needs of businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and technical education provision in the area.

By working with local employers and key education providers, this project will seek to set out the key priorities and changes needed to make post-16 technical education or training in the area more closely aligned with the skills needs of local employers and the local economy.

The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is an initiative funded by the Department for Education, which has selected FSB as the lead Employer Representative Body (ERB) to head up the LSIP in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

As part of the project, FSB will be holding a series of events during the autumn in conjunction with employers and education and training providers in across the county. This will influence the recommendations of a report to be completed by mid-2023.

If you are involved in either delivering training and skills or a business with experience or an opinion around what would improve the employment and skills landscape, email: Ann.Vandermeulen@ fsb.org.uk expressing an interest to be involved or simply with your comments or to put yourself forward as a case study.

SEARCH ON FOR‘BEST OF THE WEST’

ENERGY COST WORRIES

Small businesses are fighting for survival from soaring energy costs as they turn to the new Prime Minister and Chancellor for immediate support to brace for the winter, according to latest FSB research. with their energy bills to small businesses.

It has set out a mixed policy package of fiscal and regulatory measures, including expanding the scope of the price cap, which currently only protects domestic customers, to include sole traders, micro and small businesses. It is also asking for a reduction of business rates to help small firms adapt to the energy price increases and direct cash support to small and micro businesses to help with energy bills.

Other measures it is calling for include:

• Cut taxes temporarily on energy for one year initially, with the possibility of extending the measure if global prices remain high.

The Out in the Cold report finds that the overwhelming majority (96%) of small firms flag concerns about rising energy bills. Concern is spread broadly across the economy, with 71% of small firms across all sectors reporting they are very or extremely concerned. Those in accommodation and food (68%), wholesale and retail (45%) and manufacturing (43%) report they are extremely concerned.

Compared to last year, nearly two-thirds of small firms (63%) say they are paying more for electricity and gas this year, with two in five (39%) seeing double, triple or even higher increases in their bills, despite many having yet to renew their energy contracts.

The soaring energy bills are forcing nearly half (45%) of small firms to raise prices. Two-fifths have taken steps to reduce energy consumption although options are limited. Nearly a quarter (24%) have cancelled or scaled down plans for investing in or expanding their business. • Issue £5k vouchers for businesses to spend on qualifying energy saving-products and services under a ‘Help to Green’ initiative.

• Commit to not disconnecting businesses from energy supply that are currently unable to pay for their energy bills this winter, and not asking for disproportionate upfront payments.

• Encourage consumers to shop locally and to support their local businesses.

FSB national chair, Martin McTague, said: “Small businesses themselves are doing all they can to cut their energy use and cut costs, but it won’t be enough to save many this winter without further help.” The search is on again to discover and recognise the south west’s best and brightest small businesses.

The FSB has launched its annual ‘FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards’ which will culminate in a regional final in Weston-super-Mare followed by a national final later in the spring.

Small business owners and the selfemployed throughout the south west will have a choice of 12 different categories to enter including best family business, start-up, micro and larger business as well as awards for SMEs that excel with customer service, with their diversity and inclusivity practices and those who shine in their local communities.

The 2022 South West awards produced a record amount of entries and included winners from a wide variety of sectors like Cornish business ARCO2 Architects, who also went on to win at the Cornwall Business Awards. Organisers hope that this year will see an even bigger response from the region’s innovative small businesses.

For further information or to enter the awards – which are open to both FSB members and non-members alike - visit www.fsbawards.co.uk

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In light of the findings, FSB is urging the UK Government, alongside devolved administrations as appropriate, to provide direct support If you want to join FSB after reading this page then please quote BCM30 when you join and save £30!