03/12/12

Small firms should be at heart of autumn statement: House

A Kent boss has called for small firms to be at the heart of the Chancellor's statement on Wednesday.

Roger House, chairman of the 6,000-strong Federation of Small Businesses in Kent and Medway, said small businesses were feeling the pressure and needed a clear Government plan for growth.

"Small business policy-making has been subject to a range of confusing patchwork approaches that have often had minimal impact on the ground," he said. "We want to see a clear plan of action from the Chancellor which he can take forward to Budget 2013, which will detail the long-term support small firms need."

A small business bank would be key, he added, leading to a Small Business Administration supporting small businesses over the long term.

The FSB has spelt out a number of key measure they want to see from Chancellor George Osborne.

• A small business bank.
• Reform of the labour market.
• Extension to the National Insurance Contributions Holiday scheme to all micro businesses..
• A simplified tax system
• Scrapping the planned 3p fuel duty rise.
• An  Internet Service Provider obliged to provide broadband across the whole of the country.

Mr Osborne has been widely tipped to scrap some of the tax relief on pensions for the wealthy, and further cut welfare benefits.

Tory MPs have been calling on him to abandon, or at least defer, the planned 3p duty rise on fuel.