Election 2005 - What can small businesses hope for?

The main political parties have been busy trumpeting their enterprise credentials, but the FSB has now revealed if their efforts are likely to translate into votes, according to feedback from its own members.

A survey of FSB members suggests that the main parties have scored some direct hits with pledges to slash bureaucracy, extend business rates relief and cut inspections.

All of the parties, however, still have a long way to go to secure the small business vote, according to the FSB.

FSB National Chairman Carol Undy said:

“All of the main parties have made overtures to small businesses. They must be waking up to the fact that there are 6,000 small firms in each constituency.

“The Liberal Democrats made an impact with their manifesto promises to extend Small Business Rates Relief to include firms with a rateable value of up to £25,000, employ sunset clauses so ineffective legislation can wither on the vine and improve skills in schools.

“Conservative manifesto pledges to streamline the DTI, send officials on business secondments, impose regulatory budgets, introduce a deregulation bill and fight crime against businesses have also struck a chord with small firms.

“Labour has focused on locking in economic stability and is committed to reducing the number of inspectors and speeding up cheque clearance times – moves which small businesses welcome.”

However, she added, politicians have yet to address a number of key concerns.

“Small businesses want a commitment to fairer and simpler taxation. A £10,000 tax free allowance for all small businesses, irrespective of their legal status would be a start.

“Much has been said about support for hard working families, but with 34 pieces of employment legislation on the statute book it is time parties promised to help hard working small business owners.

“Small businesses want a withdrawal of proposals to extend parental leave – particularly the administrative headache that is leave which is transferable between mother and father, the abolition of the overwhelmingly complex discipline and grievance procedure and the retention of the 48 hour week opt out for the UK.”

“Practical Solutions” the FSB’s General Election Manifesto calls on the parties to commit to simple steps to ensure that the small business sector thrives:

• Make taxes simpler and fairer
• Free business from red tape
• Ensure that employment policies are business-friendly as well as family friendly
• Combat crime
• Invest in skills to boost productivity
• Create a better business environment, both nationally and locally
• Support environmentally friendly business practices