Miliband set to address FSB conference

AROUND 650 people are expected to attend the Federation of Small Businesses’ 40th anniversary conference this weekend, which will be addressed by Labour leader Ed Mlliband.

The leading small business pressure group says it expects the event to generate £1.2m for the Manchester economy.

As well as Mr Milliband, minister for skills Matthew Hancock, will be addressing the meeting. Closer to home, John Ashcroft, chief executive of pro.manchester and Liverpool Vision’s CEO Max Steinberg are on the platform at Manchester Central too,

The event will celebrate the role the UK’s 4.9 million businesses are playing in boosting the recovery, and highlight the issues they face.

John Allan, national chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said:”I’m delighted that we’re celebrating our 40th anniversary in Manchester – just a few miles away from where the founding members started the organisation. We’ve come a long way in the past 40 years and I’m pleased to see a motivating range of speakers.

“The economic environment is improving and confidence is growing among our members. Not only will conference have a cross party line up of speakers, but there are also interesting seminar sessions set up to give attendees help and advice on running their business.”