Reminding our members, and their staff, that the deadline to #RegisterToVote in the May elections is 11.59pm, 16 April >> gov.uk/register-to-vo…. These elections, taking place on 2 May, are Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales; local government elections…

Protect your business from counterfeit banknotes by joining the free Banknote Checking Scheme, from the Bank of England, partnered with FSB 👇
🔗bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/bank…

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 BBC Surrey 🎙️⬇️

It's good to see the Culture, Media and Sport Committee recognise the challenges that creatives like actors, visual artists, and musicians face, particularly when it comes to #AI .

➡️ The Freelancers' Commissioner will help bridge departments and tackle issues in contracts and working conditions 📑

➡️…

🚨 Pleased to see that government has listened to us and has announced that violence against retail workers is to be made a separate offence 🚨 Our research found a rise in threatening behaviour, intimidation, and/or assault over the last four years, alongside increased reports…

✅ If you run a small firm, are self-employed, or employ members of staff there are a range of tax reliefs and allowances available from HMRC.

💭 According to our research, many small business owners are unaware of the reliefs available to them.

Have a look at the guidance here…

⚠️ Severe weather warnings have been issued across many parts of the UK, with flooding and gale-force winds forecast 🌧️💨

If you're worried about flooding or high winds in your area, these steps can help to protect your small business ⤵️

🔗 fsb.org.uk/resources-page…

🏬 If you've made improvements to your business premises, you may be eligible for improvement relief on your business rates bill.

💷 Improvements must have been completed after 1 April 2024, and increased the property's value, size, or introduced features such as air…

Changes to the import of animal and plant products from the EU come into effect from 30 April 🌱🧀

Changes include physical border checks, new import controls, and the introduction of common user charges to all imports 🚢

📦 Find out what it means for your small business:

🔗…

🗞️ Want to keep up with all the latest small business news of the week?

📧 Sign up for the email version of the Weekly Brief Newsletter, or subscribe via LinkedIn newsletters to get it delivered straight to your inbox 👇

🔗 fsb.org.uk/weekly-brief-s…

🗞️ Royal Mail cuts are 'too drastic' 🏦 banking hubs🚢 import charges ⚡️energy costs, and more.

Get up to speed with all the week's small business news in the Weekly Brief Newsletter 👇

🔗 go.fsb.org.uk/3xneOST

By announcing a range of import fees for products from the EU with less than a month’s notice, the Government will undoubtedly cause issues for many small business owners 📦

We spoke to the The Guardian about the newly announced common user charges 👇

theguardian.com/politics/2024/…

A very productive roundtable meeting in Nottinghamshire today, with Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Shadow Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, looking at The Labour Party's plan to support small businesses 🏬

➡️ Lots of discussions on how to ensure that the UK's 5.5…

Small businesses - have your say!🗣️

📊 Our latest Small Business Index survey is live and we want your views.

Your ideas help to shape crucial policy recommendations to key decision-makers.

Take the survey now 👇

fsbbigvoice.co.uk/SBI2024Q1

Proposals from Royal Mail to axe daily deliveries for second class post are too drastic ✉️

🎙️ FSB's Craig Beaumont told BBC Radio 5 Live that the cuts would cause disruption, and lead to increased costs for many small businesses that rely on second class post 👇

📮 Royal Mail's proposals to scrap daily deliveries for second class post would be a drastic cut that would hit many small firms hard.

✉️ Some would be left with no choice but to pay for first class postage.

We spoke to The Times and The Sunday Times' James Hurley ⤵️

thetimes.co.uk/article/royal-…

Royal Mail's proposals to cut daily second class postal deliveries are too drastic, and would hit the many small firms that rely on it 📮

Read our full release 👇

🔗 fsb.org.uk/resources-page…

⏰ Nearly 2 in 3 small businesses were paid late during the last quarter of 2023.

📺 Our national chair, Martin McTague OBE told TalkTV's Julia Hartley-Brewer that by tackling poor payment practices, the Government could help to drive economic growth for thousands of small firms 👇

#Employers - we’ve worked with Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on a new series of bitesize videos to support #SMEs with #apprenticeships .

Check out our first video 'How to find the right apprenticeship for your business' on YouTube: ow.ly/wkqb50QCSEm

#SkillsForLife