Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)

Official page of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Follow us on LinkedIn: @ FSB UK and on Bluesky: @ fsb-uk. National Chair: @MMcTagueFSB

[Next Week in Westminster @NWI_Westminster]

New episode: 20. Small Business, Saving Steel and Cyber Security

Hear the experts @tinamckenz, UK Policy Chair @fsb_policy, and Small Business Commissioner @emmaljones on the Commercial Payments Bill.

SUBSTACK: https://t.co/GEqd1mbRHY

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists at last night's @HSBC_UK and FSB Small Business Growth Awards.

Their stories of ambition, resilience, innovation and growth are truly inspiring, and proof that small businesses don’t just keep the economy moving, they help communities thrive.

Thanks also to @SaraDaviesCC for being a brilliant host.

#SmallBusinessGrowthAwards

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

Small firms are an integral part of the UK's tourism and hospitality industry.

For many, the summer months will be make-or-break after a bruising period of rising costs and squeezed consumer spending.

📺Watch FSB's Paula Gouldthorpe live in York on @BBCBreakfast ⬇️

[Craig Beaumont @craigie_b]

Mansion House tonight, for the @biztradegovuk @cityoflondon dinner - on the ‘naughty table’ at the back!

Vital for all to drag focus back on to *economic growth*; my job is to make sure people see small biz support as fundamental to get some

Great chats with businesses, officials, @FSB_policy members, @citylordmayor and @peterkyle. Cemented a couple of announcements coming up, too. Onwards!

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

The current business rates system directly undermines the Government’s own growth ambitions.

➡️Increasing the Small Business Rate Relief threshold to £25k would lift thousands of small firms out of the system

➡️Small businesses in shared workspaces must be protected from losing vital rate relief, after recent changes to the way rates are calculated

📰More on our business rates asks in @thetimes : https://t.co/26Ow2kJHxM

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

Government plans which would open the way to more 'overnight visitor levies' (aka bed taxes🛌) in England would damage domestic tourism and create extra red tape for small hotels, B&Bs, etc. FSB's @craigie_b has been speaking out about it in @Daily_Express / MSN 👇
https://t.co/xn3VnLkkwD

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

OUT NOW: Get up to speed with all this week's most important small business news in FSB's Weekly Brief 👷🏽‍♀️

https://t.co/CRnsxNCxrd

[Craig Beaumont @craigie_b]

The @ONS published its latest #NEET data today, the day of the Milburn report. It's worth a closer🧵

1/ The number of 16–24 year olds not in education, employment or training is now 1,012,000; up 55,000 in just 1 quarter - breaking the 1 million mark for the 1st time since 2013

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

📺 There are huge numbers of young people who want to graft, train and build careers, FSB's @tinamckenz tells @TalkTV.

But soaring employment costs mean that many small employers physically cannot afford to hire new staff and offer opportunities to young people ⤵️

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

Ministers cannot ignore the impact soaring employment costs are having on hiring 👷🏽‍♀️

We told the @guardian that costs are a major factor when it comes to the number of Neets – which is a shame, because small firms want to back the next generation 👇

https://t.co/4N9opglC6v

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

Our response to the Milburn Review on youth inactivity ⬇️

https://t.co/Eu82xIxhX6

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

“We know that SMEs in the hospitality and retail sectors are feeling the pinch,” FSB’s @craigie_b tells @TimesRadio after the Chancellor announced plans to cut VAT on family activities and children’s meals to 5% this summer

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

☀️ A strong summer could be the difference between staying afloat and shutting up shop for some small firms.

💷 The Chancellor's decision to cut #VAT to 5% on family activities over the summer months will help to bring in more customers to local restaurants, pubs, soft plays and attractions 🍻

Read more 🔗 https://t.co/hT5QQdtxT3

[Tina McKenzie MBE @tinamckenz]

Great to meet His Majesty The King during today’s visit to Belfast at Titanic Pump House.

Thank you to @TitanicDistill2 for hosting the event celebrating Belfast ahead of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 - bringing together business, culture & community.

[Department for Business and Trade @biztradegovuk]

"What this bill means is £11 billion back into the UK economy and keeping our small businesses open, thriving and going for growth."

Watch what @fsb_policy's Policy Chair, @tinamckenz had to say about our landmark Small Business Protections Bill👇

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

⏰ Today marks a big step forward in our campaign to stamp out poor payment practices by big businesses towards their smaller suppliers, with the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill clearing its first Parliamentary hurdle.

We know that some big businesses are trying to get the proposals watered down, which is why FSB is working to engage with MPs and Peers to deliver the toughest late payments legislation of any G7 country 👇

https://t.co/CrRwRHdrT5

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

Get all the most important small business news of the week, every week 📆

Sign up to FSB's Weekly Brief Newsletter on email and LinkedIn newsletters to get it sent straight to your inbox every Friday 👇

📧 E: https://t.co/xlgpJAxRWn

📥 LI: https://t.co/qNBZG9OeHu

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

🌱 The refreshed @uk_bch has tools, guidance, and first-hand stories from business owners and entrepreneurs on how to improve sustainability and cut costs.

⛽️ With fuel and energy costs rising, we're proud to have fed into the hub's new updates⤵️

https://t.co/NCGJ4M80AX