Policy and campaigns
The Forum of Private Business was founded as a lobbying organisation in the 1970s. Although we have diversified over the years, and now provide a complete package of business support, our lobbying and campaigning work remains central to what we do.
 
Thanks to our members providing feedback via our various research projects, we are able to understand exactly how various economic, regulatory and taxation changes are affecting their businesses. We use this information to lobby the Government to take action for the benefit of our small business members.
 

Policy

Our policy work is centred around Whitehall and Westminster, however we also influence changes coming out of Brussels and the devolved governments. There are two main ways in which we lobby:
  • By communicating members' views to decision makers in order to influence proposed changes
  • By highlighting problems with existing legislation or policy and calling for action to be taken.
Over the years we have developed our reputation within the civil service and with MPs and other decision-makers, as the voice of the small employer. We monitor any changes that have the potential to affect small businesses in the UK and, via our lobbying activities, we campaign to achieve the best possible outcomes for our members. Some of the key policy areas we cover are employment, access to finance, taxation, regulation, and skills and training.
 

Campaigns

Get Britain Trading
 
In February 2011 we launched our campaign to Get Britain Trading. We aim to raise awareness of the massive contribution small firms make to the economy and make it easier and more profitable for them to do business on a local, national and international basis. 
 
Both members and non-member businesses can pledge their support for Get Britain Trading and in doing so add their voices to the campaign.
 
We developed Get Britain Trading in response to our members needs in the current economic climate and are lobbying for a list of measures to help small businesses which will, in turn, give the economy a much needed boost.
 
The Get Britain Trading manifesto sets out the conditions needed to get small businesses trading again:
  • Improving cash flow
  • Simple and proportionate tax
  • Creating employment and improving skills
  • Creating opportunities for growth.
Late payment 'Hall of Shame'
We have a long history of campaigning against the practise of late payment which has a detrimental impact on businesses. Our late payment 'Hall of Shame' raises the profile of the issue by naming and shaming firms that squeeze their suppliers.