Alan Soady

Media and Communications Director at the Federation of Small Businesses. Former BBC Political Correspondent.

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

💼 FSB’s Alan Soady tells @TomSwarbrick1 that plans to scrap day-one unfair dismissal rights and set a six-month qualifying period are welcome.

📢We led detailed discussions with the government because it was clear that part of the Employment Rights Bill would've had a huge impact on hiring.

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

🐟 A £40,000 fine dished out by the Home Office to a fish and chip shop in Surrey for a genuine clerical error when conducting right-to-work checks is completely disproportionate, and could have led to the closure of the business.

📻 FSB's Alan Soady tells @JamesCannon66 on @BBCSurrey why the use of huge fines against well-intentioned small employers needs an urgent review 👇

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

📣 SMALL BUSINESSES - we want your views on US import tariffs in our new survey.

🚢 Whether you trade directly with the US or you’re part of supply chains involving the US, your views are critical and will help shape our policy recommendations to Government on how to respond to US tariffs 📦

Take the survey now 🔗 https://t.co/eM4ti9OPPH

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

Tariffs, national insurance, minimum wage, business rates, energy bills… Small businesses are facing a raft of increasing cost pressures. FSB’s Policy Chair @tinamckenz has been highlighting it @BBCRadio4 #youandyours – and explaining the impact on small business confidence and ability to grow. 📻⬇️

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

📺 As the US tariffs on UK goods kick in, FSB’s Policy Chair @tinamckenz has been telling @BBCBreakfast it’ll be tough for the 60% of small exporters in the UK who have the US as a key market - and they can’t just pivot to other markets overnight 👇

#TrumpTariff

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

After speculation about a rise in employer national insurance, the Chancellor needs to use this week’s Budget to show the Govt fully supports small businesses.

FSB’s @craigie_b has been telling @BBCBreakfast what hard-working small business owners want to see 📺

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

📻We spoke to @ShelaghFogarty on @LBC today about the potential impacts of new employment measures on small businesses.

It's crucial that small firms aren't deterred from taking on new staff, which has knock-on effects on growth and investment.

[Alan Soady @AlanSoady]

What an incredibly sad, possibly ironic, wrap-around. I have no doubt of the financial pressures and changing lifestyle / news consumption habits leading to this going from a leading daily to a weekly publication, but still sad, not least for the talented journalists affected.

[Alan Soady @AlanSoady]

Happy 50th birthday @fsb_policy #FSB50

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

🎂FSB is celebrating its 50th anniversary of supporting and championing small businesses and the self-employed across the
UK.

🎊Thank you to Business and Trade Secretary @jreynoldsMP and Aldershot MP @Ms_Alex_Baker for wishing us happy birthday in Parliament.

#FSB50

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

🎤 Small businesses and the self-employed: be part of the live General Election Small Business Debate on 17 June, 6pm. Book a place for in-person or online attendance now: https://t.co/RiOT5ukHL6

You'll hear from, and be able to question: Kevin Hollinrake, Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade @Conservatives; Jonathan Reynolds, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade @UKLabour; Sarah Olney, Treasury and Business and Industrial Strategy spokesperson @LibDems.

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

📺 Following the launch of our manifesto, FSB Policy Chair @tinamckenz sets out why all those seeking to form the next Government should show their commitment to the millions of voters who run their own businesses.

Read it here 🔗 https://t.co/rt6YGHOdbH

#SmallBusinessManifesto

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

🚨We've published the Manifesto for Small Businesses and the Self-Employed ahead of July's General Election, setting out what small businesses want to see from the next Government:
🔗 https://t.co/P3pBB8aA80

[Alan Soady @AlanSoady]

So many amazing small businesses shortlisted for tonight’s final. Good luck to all!!

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

Good luck to all the finalists at the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards #FSBawards this evening.

[Alan Soady @AlanSoady]

It reminds me of a song by A-llama Morissette…

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

⚠️ Is wet weather any cause for a-llama on your wedding day? 🦙🦙🦙

And how does post-nuptial precipitation affect small business wedding venues?

We arranged for FSB member ⁦@CeliaFarm⁩ - and her llamas - to talk to ⁦@NinaWarhurst⁩ ⁦@BBCBreakfast⁩ 📺👀

[Alan Soady @AlanSoady]

Congratulations Martin!

[Martin McTague OBE @MMcTagueFSB]

I'm incredibly humbled to have attended the investiture by HRH the Prince of Wales @KensingtonRoyal to receive my OBE today at Windsor Castle.

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

🗓️ OUT TODAY: Our latest Small Business Index survey #SBI for Q1 2024 found small business confidence returned to positive territory for the first time in two years 📈

📺 Our Chief of External Affairs @craigie_b spoke to @IanKingSky about what it means for small businesses 👇

[Alan Soady @AlanSoady]

Many thanks to @BBCSurrey for highlighting this important issue this morning and letting me have my two penneth (apols for the croaky cold voice!!)

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

Do the police take retail crime against small businesses seriously enough?

Yesterday we won our campaign to have a specific offence for violence against shop workers and owners.

But what about shoplifting? FSB’s Alan Soady has been talking to @BBCSurrey 🎙️⬇️

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

🗣️ It was positive to hear the Chancellor explain how he'd listened to our calls to support small firms in today's #Budget2024.

➡️ There were welcome announcements including an increase in the #VAT threshold, a cut in self-employed National Insurance Contributions #NICs, and an extension of the Recovery Loan Scheme.

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

Say hello to Picoh and Ohbot!🤖

To mark the launch of our new AI report, #RedefiningIntelligence, these two cheeky robots (created by FSB members @OhbotRobot) popped into our office to share their thoughts.

☕️ Spoiler alert - they're fans of independently owned coffee shops👇

[Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) @fsb_policy]

For this year's #NAW2024 we asked apprentice George Farmer to give us a glimpse into his working day at @ColesSewing in Nottingham. 🪡

👷‍♂️👩‍💼Apprenticeships allow small firms like FSB member Coles Sewing Centre to help shape the next generation, while building skills within their team.
#SkillsforLife