FSB Westminster (Federation of Small Businesses)

Off the back of our #FutureHighStreet campaign, FSBIS has launched a special insurance deal for retailers. We set up FSBIS as a dedicated insurance service for our members. Our members are so diverse with unique insurance needs and challenges. It's a really great, personable, knowledgeable and helpful service, and David Perry - one of the leading insurance experts in the UK - is the CEO.

🏪🏬High streets can be destinations in their own right, attracting tourism and enriching local economies. Here Liz Kemp, owner of Kemps General Store in Malton, tells us about how the town’s distinct identity can benefit small businesses like hers. We'd like to see local high streets prominently featured in domestic and international tourism campaigns, bringing in new visitors and increasing footfall. More in our #FutureHighStreet report 🔗 https://lnkd.in/edPgg7FU

Today, alongside business representatives and trade bodies, we have published an open letter, calling on the Government to boost growth through better SME digitisation support.    Ahead of the upcoming Budget and Global Investment Summit, the UK has a chance to turbocharge its digitisation offer needed to drive investment.   AI is projected to boost UK GDP by up to 10.3% by 2030 and bring huge benefits for UK businesses with better productivity and efficiency gains. However, it will first be deployed through updates to business software already in use, meaning that if UK businesses are behind on basic digital adoption, they will soon be behind on AI adoption. Better support for SME digitisation is something the Government can get started on right away with practical interventions. We propose: • First, appoint a single Minister with responsibility for driving digitisation across the economy. • Second, deliver a comprehensive digital adoption plan with clearly defined targets by 2030. • Third, as previously advocated by techUK, the CBI and FSB, expand the Made Smarter Adoption programme to all sectors of the economy. Industry is already leading the way in supporting SMEs to digitise and stand ready to support the Government in their mission to grow the economy, whilst placing digital technology at the heart of delivery on this.  Click below to read the letter ⬇ Thank you to our signatories: Julian David, CEO, techUK Naomi Weir, Director of Innovation, CBI (Confederation of British Industry) Clare Elsby, Policy Champion for Innovation and Technology, FSB Westminster (Federation of Small Businesses) Emma Jones, Founder, Enterprise Nation Ciarán Quilty, Senior Vice President, International, Intuit Steve Hare, CEO, Sage Alexander von Schirmeister, Managing Director, UK and Emerging Markets, Xero Neil Ross | Samiah Anderson | Mia Haffety

📺 Many small businesses already offer flexible working. But any proposals to legislate for a more rigid approach should avoid a one-size-fits-all view and take into account the varied needs of small employers and types of roles, businesses and sectors. We’ve been talking to ITV News this evening 👇

📺 Many small businesses already offer flexible working. But any proposals to legislate for a more rigid approach should avoid a one-size-fits-all view and take into account the varied needs of small employers and types of roles, businesses and sectors. We’ve been talking to ITV News this evening 👇

Today’s meeting with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, pictured, right, with FSB Policy Chair Tina McKenzie MBE, was a crucial partnership moment, where we raised issues and growth ideas from FSB members up and down the country, in every local community. You don’t get growth, jobs or wealth creation without UK small businesses; this was a core feature of our discussions in Opposition. Now, as the Chancellor and her team turn to the Budget, the diversity of UK businesses - 99% of which are the small, micro or self-employed, that we represent - needs reflecting in Government policy-making just as much. HM Treasury

Some might say the high street could have a bright future - including us. We went to York, an oasis of small businesses, as part of our #FutureHighStreet campaign. What's the story? Meet Phil Pinder, FSB member and director of wizardry 🧙♂️ https://lnkd.in/eEmCd-xj

Small business confidence levels fell over the second quarter, even as the economy grew: FSB's Small Business Index saw the headline confidence reading drop back into negative territory in Q2.   Over the period of April-June 2024, the headline confidence reading among small firms tumbled to -10.8 points, a fall of 16.3 points from Q1’s +5.5 points.   Looking to Q3, revenue expectations have significantly moderated, with over a third of small firms anticipating an increase in their takings, and three in ten preparing for a decrease.   Read our full press release here: https://lnkd.in/efj7J9mu

Small high businesses are a major part of every high street's identity and community ✅   💇🏻♀️ Gennaro Borrelli, FSB member and owner of Gennaro Organic Hair and Beauty told us about the importance of the high street in Leighton Buzzard 🏬 More in our #FutureHighStreet report 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eviyzwC3 #HighStreets #SmallBusinesses

🔎 According to Government stats, web searches for #apprenticeships rose by 76% on #GCSE Results Day 2023 compared to the daily average. 💭 Find out more about over 700 #apprenticeships courses and how an #apprenticeship could work for your small businesses 👇 #Results2024 #SmallBusinesses #Employers