THE man in charge of the Federation of Small Businesses locally is calling on the chancellor to help smaller firms in his budget.
Ken Moon, chairman of the FSB’s Wessex region, says he wants to see George Osborne improve access to finance, simplify the tax system, make business rates relief permanent and include small firms in the National Insurance contributions holiday.
The FSB says small firms have ambition and want to grow but consistently cite finance and access to long-term capital as key barriers. Mr Moon said: ‘The Chancellor must deliver a budget that is unashamedly focused on boosting small business.
‘Our figures show that confidence is rising among small business owners, but there is still caution. And, even though unemployment has fallen considerably, consumer confidence to spend and boost the economy is far from sufficient.
‘What we need to hear on March 20 is not more small-scale policies which tinker at the edges but measures that will have a tangible effect both immediately and in the long term.
‘That is why we have asked for a review of enterprise policy, to ensure the right initiatives are in place that really do help small firms start up and grow.
‘The Business Bank and access to finance have a clear role to play in this, but so too does making it easier to run a business.
‘This is why making it easier to find investment relief, simplifying the tax system and making small business rates relief permanent should be the chancellor’s priority.’
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