Weekly Brief 21 Friday 30 May 2014

Newly elected MEPs should champion small businesses

Our message to the 73 newly elected MEPs in the European parliament is to Think Small
First to boost Europe wide growth. Find out who your new MEPs are.

Business Banking Insight (BBI) gives clearer picture of small business banking
A first of its kind website, the BBI, has launched. Commissioned by the Chancellor and
supported by the FSB and British Chambers of Commerce, BBI is designed to help
businesses make better informed banking decisions. Learn more about the BBI with our
podcast from the launch, a series of short films, and the press release. Use #BBI on twitter
and catch up with the coverage in The Times, The Daily Mail, The Independent, The
Guardian, The Telegraph, City AM, FT and Reuters and listen again to Wake up to Money.

Lending to small businesses falls
The Bank of England Funding for Lending figures showed a 0.7 billion decrease in lending to
small businesses in the first quarter of 2014. Read more in our comment, in The
Independent and watch on Bloomberg.

Late payment damages growth and job creation
Business Secretary Vine Cable has announced proposals to build a responsible payment
culture. We have called for large firms to publish their payment terms and pay their suppliers
promptly. Read our comment and more in the FT and Real Business.

What drives you to grow?
The Enterprise Research Centres inaugural conference looks to answer that question. As
part of the International Festival of Business they will be showcasing some of the latest
research on the state of the SME economy and measures to drive growth. Find out more
and book your place. This weekend read more about the IFB in The Independent from FSB
National Chairman, John Allan.

What are your opinions on apprentices and traineeships?
If you have participated in an apprenticeship or traineeship programme, share your
experience of the quality of skills in young people when they turn up to work. Read more
information or get in touch. Readers of FE Week will see more about this in the coming
weeks.

Put your questions to the Health and Safety Executive
The Health and Safety Executives will be holding a Twitter-chat on Thursday 5 June to
answer your questions on health and safety. Ask your questions from 12:30pm using
#askHSE or send them in advance to @H_S_E.

Reforming environmental guidance
A number of plans for reforming environmental guidance will be published over the coming
weeks. DEFRA are inviting you to comment on these plans and would appreciate your
support in publicising this public feedback exercise among your contacts.

Small firms and the road to full employment
The FSB and IPPR will be hosting a joint event discussing Small Firms and the Road to Full
Employment on Monday 11 June in Portcullis House London. Find out more or register.
The right to request flexible working
All employees will have the statutory right to request flexible working arrangements from 30
June 2014. Find out more about this and the benefits of flexible working at a half-day work
shop in London organised by Government, Acas and others. Contact the organisers for more
information or to attend.

Free event on employee ownership
An event to discuss employee ownership and what it can deliver for business and the UK
economy is being held by the Employee Ownership Association and the Department for
Business are holding. Employee ownership can lead to more engaged and loyal workforces
and higher profitability. You can also hear from successful employee owned businesses at
the event Monday 16 June. Find out more.

Making the case for the self employed on BBC On The Money
This Sunday the final BBC On The Money will look at the rise of self-employment over the
past four years. FSB are members of the Entrepreneurs Alliance, making the case for the
self employed.

Coming up...
Next week well be reacting to the Queens Speech. Use #QueensSpeech to get involved.

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