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Decline in small business morale
Small companies ended 2010 less confident than they were at the beginning of the year, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) announced yesterday. “Pressures on small businesses, such as the increase in VAT and fuel duty, are beginning to come to a head,” said the FSB’s John Walker. “This combined with the severe weather at the end of 2010 has meant that small firms are not as confident about their prospects in 2011,” he added.