Better Business for All

Federation of Small Businesses The UK’s leading business organisation around 200,000 members Nearly 6,000 members in Kent and Medway in every sector

Lobbying and campaigning The FSB is non-profit making and non-party political The FSB is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group Proud of our independence – no Government funding Lobbying - pressure on MPs, Government and Whitehall and puts the FSB viewpoint over to the media. Member-led. Development Managers work alongside members in our regions to further FSB influence at a regional level.

Lobbying Kent and Medway MPs

Membership benefits 24 hr Legal Advice Line Legal Protection Package FSB Business Banking FSB Card Payment Processing FSB Finance for Business FSB Insurance Services FSB Pension FSB Independent Financial Services FSB Telecom Services FSB Medical FSB Vehicle Package FSB Print and Mail Networking events Campaigning and Policy

Small biz stats There are over 5.4 million businesses in the UK Over 99% of firms employ less than 49 people 59% of the workforce (13.7 million) in the SME sector 50% of the UK GDP comes from the SME sector Over 500,000 people set up their own business each year (2014 saw the largest number of start-ups) 3.3 million businesses are sole proprietors

FSB survey post-General Election The top 10 issues small businesses want the next Government to focus on in the next five years: 1.Reduce regulatory burden (53%) 2.Introduce a more simplified tax system (51%) 3.Reform business rates (44%) 4.Improve the employability skills of young people (41%) 5.Deliver improve broadband/ mobile connectivity (39%) 6.Help UK small businesses to create more jobs (34%) 7.Tackle late payments (33%) 8.Lower energy costs for businesses (30%) 9.Ensure better access for finance (28%) 10.Increase investment in infrastructure (26%)

FSB survey Q Growth aspirations of small businesses are strong although have cooled slightly since this time last year 65.3% plan to grow over the next year 36% say skills are a barrier to growth 62% see credit conditions improving for small firms Net balance of profit and revenue growth continue to rise New Living Wages a challenge, as are the auto enrolment of pensions Regulation continues to be one of the barriers to growth

Which 3 of the following actions would most help you comply with regulation? Exemptions from certain regulations42% Easier access to advice and information38% Fewer recording and reporting requirements on regulations35% Guidance on regulation well in advance of it becoming law33% One-to-one support on how to best comply with regulation24% More consistency between inspectors and regulators16% A longer time period to prepare for a regulation before it becomes law13% Fewer inspections5% Other 6% None of these/ Not applicable17%

BBfA – the Leicester and Leicestershire Journey North West Leicestershire District Council BRDO LLEP

BBfA going forward  FSB keen to share information with it’s 6,000 Kent members  Supports ongoing training  For the good of the local small business, and local community