Talking business in Brussels

HOW does small business get heard in the corridors of power in Europe? Paul Henly from the Federation of Small Businesses takes us behind the scenes on his latest visit to Brussels.

Brussels Blog

SENIOR officials from the FSB in the North West of England have just returned from a trip to Brussels to share the concerns of the region’s businesses with MEPs.

Paul Henly, North West policy manager of the FSB made the journey to the European Parliament with policy chairman Holly Bonfield.

Here is his diary from an eventful trip made amid a backdrop of global financial turmoil.

Monday, October 6

A quick flight from a manic Manchester Airport before arriving at the less frantic Brussels Airport. By comparison it’s a very professional and hassle-free place.
Our first job was to meet up with senior advisors from the European Small Business Alliance (ESBA) at their new offices close to the EU Parliament Building.
The FSB is one of the leading members of ESBA and works closely with them to spread the word about small business needs and opportunities within the EU community. It’s worth finding out more on their website – http://www.esba-europe.org/
A thorough and highly detailed briefing from the ESBA on perhaps the hottest topic affecting, or more importantly, about to affect, our members – the Small Business Act.
This wide-ranging document is designed to improve life for small firms. It includes measures designed to help them with late payments, a standardisation of VAT across the EU on labour intensive services, and the introduction a statue for  private companies. The hope is that this latter element will promote cross border trading.
The act also covers a code of best practice on public sector procurement to give smaller companies fair access to the millions of pounds spent by Government and local authorities.
Our visit is quite timely given the focus on the EU and its ability to deliver a unilateral response to the global financial crisis. Despite Angela Merkel’s recent about turn on savings guarantees in German banks, it’s most surprising how often-German small businesses are seeing things exactly as they do in the UK.

Tuesday, October  7

A trip today to the ‘big glass box’ – more commonly known as the EU parliament building – which probably rivals the Pentagon for sheer size.
In the space of five minutes I heard the same young lady speak English, French, German, Italian and Spanish as visitors from all the different EU members lined up to get their passes. A lesson for our schools – if we want to compete in the modern Europe we need a multi-lingual workforce.
We make our way to the Investor’s Cafe where representatives from the many regions host their stands. Three main themes this year – Innovating Regions, Sustainable Development and Co-operation & Networking. We drop by North West’s stand on energy and Lancashire County Council’s on sustainability where I meet up with Andrew Mullaney.
Later in the day I heard Andrew’s excellent presentation on reducing the county’s impact on the environment. Some ambitious plans for Lancashire and I’m going to make sure our members in that county get to know all about the opportunities available – including a number of road shows in the months ahead.
My companion Holly Bonfield, the FSB North West policy chairman, went to the rather dramatically entitled workshop:  ‘Will our generation ever be forgiven?’. It discussed how guilty we should feel for not acting sooner on the environment.
She heard some good examples about using new technologies and carbon emission measurement systems.  Also learnt a thing or two from Saxony on flood management – let’s hope the Environment Agency take note. Our own North West Development Agency has its vision for ‘Rising to the challenge’ – a plan for a low carbon region by 2020.
 

Wednesday, October 8

Last night saw the real behind the scenes movers and shakers of Europe gathering at the Istanbul Centre to celebrate Capitals of Culture – magnificent Liverpool this year as we know and the Turkish capital get their turn in 2011. Picked up some very off the record gossip about who is and who is not playing ball in the current credit crisis.
Yet again we also heard lots and lots of great ideas about the environment – getting everyone together on this, governments, businesses and householders is a massive but necessary task. In reality it’s events like this where the people who can make a difference get to meet and share views. It’s often where the action starts to take shape. I’ve never seen so many business cards change hands in one night.
An early start in the morning for a meeting with MEP David Sumberg at the EU Parliament. It was interesting to hear his take on the UK’s banking bail-out and we pressed home our hope that the small business sector should not be put at risk from exaggerated and exorbitant interest rates. David felt this was a whole new economic ball game and impossible to predict the outcome.
He was keen to hear about the FSB’s stance against the threat of a congestion tax in Manchester and got the distinct impression he isn’t so keen on the plans either.
Next in line was Lib Dem MEP, Chris Davies, champion of carbon emission reduction. Interesting discussion on the future of energy supply and maybe a non-party nod of approval for nuclear power from him. Again, some welcome comments from about the folly of the proposed congestion charges.

Thursday, October 9

A morning session with MEP Brian Simpson who was brimming with enthusiasm and support for the Small Business Act (and Lancashire Tea). Not on side with FSB thinking about the dreaded congestion charge but we left with a couple of strong promises to take forward a number of issues for us.
Our discussions were slightly curtailed by the 11 o’clock division bell so we followed Brian down to the magnificent and very impressive Parliament Chamber itself. 785 members, 27 states and a packed visitor gallery surrounded by the glass booths of the translators.
Never mind the doom and gloom merchants, whose only answer to their own problems is to point accusing fingers at Brussels. Go, see, talk to the politicians – a surprisingly easy thing to do. In my experience they really do want to hear your thoughts and represent you. Try and visit your MEP on home turf and tell them about your concerns – Fridays are good for them as they are back in the constituencies then.

No, it’s not a perfect system, but what is? It will evolve into something better and better when more people do their bit instead of grumping and groaning. I can assure you readers, that neither I nor the FSB will be letting up on our lobbying over there.  
Our final MEP meeting was with Den Dover and more interesting exchanges on funding, energy and supporting small businesses. Mr Dover has extensive business and parliamentary experience and uses it well in Brussels on behalf of the North West.

Closing thoughts…

MEPs – Four interesting and very different meetings where each showed genuine concerns for the future of small companies. I see it as my job to keep them up to date and on the ball, particularly in the run up to next June’s European elections. The FSB is planning a series of meetings in early 2009 with anyone standing for those all important MEP positions and we’ll be grilling them on their knowledge of a good many business topics.
Networking – It was good, solid and very worthwhile communication with some of the most interesting people it’s been my pleasure to meet. Holly and I struck gold this year with the NWDA’s Fiona Castela, Katie Hornby of Cumbria County Council, Andrew Mullaney from Lancashire County Council to name but a few.
Brussels – This was my 6th or 7th visit on FSB business in as many years and each year my appreciation of the city grows. The people are the nicest thing though, whether native to the city or visitors from around the world who have either made it their homes or are just working there for a few years. They are helpful, they smile, they help you find the right metro train and even the airport security staff were chatty and friendly – USA take note. I’ll be going back, whether for work or pleasure – put it near the top of your list, you’ll not be disappointed.