1. The Challenge of Credit Availability
Simon Hanson
North East Development Manager

2. Who is the FSB? As experts in business, we offer our members a
wide range of vital business services, including
advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government.
Our aim is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.
In the North East we represent the interests of 4,000 smaller businesses.
Who is the FSB?

3. Use of external finance

4. What external finance?

5. Challenges to small businesses post crisis?
Decreased bank lending to small businesses
Late payments to small businesses increase
Confidence on future economic outlook declined both domestically and internationally
Business investment decreased
Small businesses stopped hiring staff

6. What response to help small businesses?
Government launched number of schemes including Funding for Lending to increase lending
Launched Business Growth Service to simplify support and help high growth businesses
Pushed bigger businesses to pay on time
Support for smaller businesses taking on staff including NICs contributions
Bank of England launched QE programme to stimulate investment

7. What have small businesses done to grow?
Started using alternative sources of finance including crowdfunding
Pushed to be paid on time for work completed with number of campaigns
Looked at alternative markets for business domestically and internationally
Disengaged from publicly funded business support due to uncertainty including ERDF

8. What next?
Small businesses want certainty on business support including ERDF
To be recognised for their contribution
Want to see sustainable long-term industrial strategy
Want to see stronger civic leadership on opportunities like devolution and Northern Powerhouse

9. Thank You
Any questions?