Time to break down the barriers holding back ethnic minority entrepreneurs The past few months have been incredibly challenging for many of us on many levels. An extended lockdown period has disrupted personal and professional lives, triggering one of the sharpest recessions in history. One positive we can point to, however, is the opportunity to sort out the structural inequalities that prevent millions from achieving their [...]
Small businesses are counting on Rishi Sunak for a jobs-first approach to recovery A cut to stamp duty? A drop in VAT? A cash incentive to take on apprentices? While we have seen glimpses of what today’s economic update from Rishi Sunak will hold — notably an ambitious support package for the arts sector and funding for traineeships — a great deal remains unknown. One thing we do [...]
DEBATE: Do the chancellor’s reforms to entrepreneurs’ relief strike the right balance for founders? Do the chancellor’s reforms to entrepreneurs’ relief strike the right balance for founders? YES, says Mike Cherry, national chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses. Compromise is a fact of business life. Every dealmaker knows that it’s better to bend a little than break off negotiations. Entrepreneurs’ relief is a vital incentive that’s central to [...]
If the chancellor stands up for small firms, he’ll be standing up for society as a whole March 6, 2020 Ever wondered how much small businesses hand over to the Treasury each year? Try £145bn in corporation tax and VAT alone. Factor in business rates, national insurance contributions, fuel duty, clean air charges and the insurance premium tax, and this big figure becomes, well, astronomical. We small business owners are resilient. We have continued to [...]
With a general election only days away, vote with your feet and back Small Business Saturday December 7, 2019 In what has been another tumultuous and unpredictable year, today’s Small Business Saturday celebrations mark a welcome respite from the chaos: a chance for all of us to come together and support the independent firms at the heart of our communities. The festivities are being held against an uncertain and stifling backdrop. Our Small Business [...]