 Our members tell us that they often struggle to access competent and affordable advice. We also receive comments from members about the employability of school- and college-leavers, and the gap between the school curriculum and the needs of businesses, which affects their ability to grow. We are calling on policy-makers to ‘promote business growth'.
We want to see conditions in the UK that will enable expansion in established smaller firms. By pushing for better-targeted skills and training, stronger support for businesses and improved access to the EU's single market, we can help ensure that business-owners have the support, skills and opportunities they need for their firms to flourish.
Strengthened assistance to businesses
What we are campaigning for: a strengthened support system for the country's smaller businesses.
Why: the Government continues to churn out legislation, yet it fails to provide authoritative advice to owner-managers of small firms on how to comply with it.
Actions so far: we have been campaigning for a streamlining of the networks of Business Links and pushing for guidance for start-ups and established/growing businesses alike.
What we want: when new legislation is put in place, or if changes are made to current laws, we want to see a central point where businesses can go for free advice on how to comply. We believe that the Government's schemes for assisting smaller firms should be managed and authorised by people who have direct experience of working in a business. In order to provide better support, officials need to understand the opportunities and problems faced by our members.
Access to training and skills
What we are campaigning for: improved provision of workplace skills.
Why: the problems in accessing adequate skills are preventing small firms from being able to grow.
Actions so far: We have been pushing for links between education and the skills required by our members.
What we want: for the Government and its agencies to focus proposals relating to skills on the needs of smaller businesses. As well as provision of training at convenient locations, including the workplace, we expect qualifications to recognise experience and present skills.
Please contact the Campaigns and Research department for further information on our campaigns. We can also provide comment for the press, copies of our responses to consultation documents and details of our member research. Call us on 01565 634467 or email us at campaigns@fpb.org.
Email campaigns@fpb.org to add your name to the distribution list of ‘ Fighting your Corner', a weekly update on our progress.
Click on the links below for more information on the FPB's other ‘core' campaigns:
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