 We receive many comments from members about ‘local' issues they face. Decision-makers often do not fully understand how the policies they implement impact on businesses at the national, regional and local levels. Badly thought-out legislation at the national level can trickle down and affect areas around the country in different ways. We aim to support smaller companies in the areas in which they trade, work and live.
We want government to ‘support local business'. We are calling for the protection and promotion of independent businesses on the high street, and believe the roll-out of congestion charging schemes across the country pose a threat to local businesses. We want to ensure that small firms have better access to tender for public sector contracts in their local areas and we are campaigning for an increase in the threshold for Small Business Rate Relief.
Support for high streets
What we are campaigning for: greater support for the UK's independent retailers.
Why: small businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with large firms due to an unlevel playing field on the high streets of the UK. Consumers now want a complete shopping experience and the standards of council upkeep vary enormously.
Actions so far: for years, the FPB has fought – and will continue to do so – for the protection of the UK's smaller firms, including those that trade online.
What we want: for the Government to stimulate the return of customers to town centres to retain the UK's diverse and independent high streets. We want to see improved facilities for encouraging trade and programmes for lowering crime. We continue to resist road charging schemes, which will further compound the problems faced by smaller firms on the high street.
Paths to public procurement
What we are campaigning for: better access for our members to public sector contracts.
Why: small firms can offer excellent value for money to central and local government, yet the current system means they are excluded from tendering processes due to the time and complexities involved.
Actions so far: we have been emphasising the importance of improving procedures and the need for better information on forthcoming contracts.
What we want: for the tendering processes to be simplified and for small firms to receive adequate time in which to submit a tender.
Please contact the Campaigns and Research department for further information on our campaigns. We can also provide comment for the press, copies of our responses to consultation documents and details of our member research. Call us on 01565 634467 or email us at campaigns@fpb.org.
Email campaigns@fpb.org to add your name to the distribution list of ‘Fighting your Corner', a weekly update on our progress.
Click on the links below for more information on the FPB's other ‘core' campaigns:
Think Smallest First
Promote Business Growth |
