Product category:
Building Trade Associations and Institutes
News Release from: The Forum of Private Business
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 22 August 2006
Shadow Chancellor visits the FPB
Shadow Chancellor visits the FPB as he announces his four point plan for smaller businesses.
George Osborne MP, the Shadow Chancellor, will pay a visit to the Forum of Private Business (FPB) later, on the day that he announces the Conservative Party's proposals for small businesses Mr Osborne, the MP for Tatton, will meet with the National Chairman of the FPB, Len Collinson and Chief Executive, Nick Goulding to discuss his four point plan
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 7 Aug 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
FPB survey shows firms think postal changes costly
Smaller businesses think the changes to the postal system being introduced on 21 August will lead to an increase in costs.
Act now as age discrimination deadline looms
The Forum of Private Business is warning its members to prepare for new age discrimination laws.
Mr Collinson said it is time for a fresh approach that addresses the issue of red tape.
"There is no doubt that over recent years smaller businesses have felt burdened by regulation in all aspects of the economy".
"They are beginning to show a reluctance to employ people because of the increasing red tape".
"There is a strong case for a new direction".
The Conservatives are to ask the Tax Reform Commission to consider the feasibility of aligning the period of charge for the national insurance and income tax systems.
The Tories want to know how the systems can be brought closer together to ease the administrative burden on small businesses.
Mr Collinson said that is a move that the FPB has been campaigning for".
""The FPB has always been supportive of aligning the period of charge for the national insurance and income tax systems".
The second point of the Conservative plan is to make it easier for small businesses to bid for government contracts.
Mr Collinson said action must be taken".
""There is little doubt that in order to allow small businesses to win contracts from Government and its agencies, the Government will have to intervene".
"The US administration specifies a percentage of public contracts that must go to smaller companies, this is supervised by the US small business administration".
"Why not something similar in the UK?" he asked.
The third point is to tackle regulation, something Mr Collinson is eager to discuss".
""The FPB looks forward to being told of the Conservative Party's proposals for reversing the torrent of regulation".
The fourth point of the plan looks at adult education, but Mr Collinson thinks this isn't early enough".
"We encourage small businesses to take part in the provision of education at all levels, and primary education is the starting point.".
• The Forum of Private Business: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Buildingtalk email newsletter
• Buildingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
