SME pressure group sets out 2011 agenda

NORTH West small business pressure group Forum of Private Business is expecting a challenging year, and is warning the government to cut red tape and simplify the tax system to help growth.

Phil Orford, chief executive of the Knutsford-based organisation, says small firms will be affected by cuts in public spending, increased costs and late payment.
Education and skills are also high on the FPBs’ 2011 agenda.

Mr Orford said: “Removing the barriers to growth created by tax and red tape must be a cornerstone of emerging enterprise policies. We are pushing for the UK’s complex tax system to be simplified and complying with regulation to be made more proportionate for small firms.”

Employment law, in particular, must be looked at, Mr Orford said, and there needs to be a re-balancing in favour of employers.

The FPB will soon launch a campaign, called Get Britain Trading, aimed at improving the fortunes of both its members and the wider SME community.  

“Small businesses hold the key to a private sector-led recovery, however they require fair and open trading conditions in order to grow and create jobs.

“We are working to ensure small firms are ready and able to trade as the economy continues to recover, including supporting exporters, providing protection against utilities companies and helping to open up public procurement opportunities, as well as assisting with accessing new technologies and sales and marketing techniques,” Mr Orford added.