The polling stations have closed, the results have been pondered and wondered at, and the Conservatives once again hold the reins of power – this time, independently, with no chance of those reins being twitched sideways by the hand of Nick Clegg. So now that the not-so-new Government have settled back in and reshuffled their Cabinet, what do small businesses want from it?
John Allan, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, says: “What businesses will look for from the new Government is certainty and stability, both absolutely fundamental to 
business planning, and getting to grips with the big economic challenges. That must start with continuing to secure the UK’s long-term economic stability and addressing the deficit. Businesses will then look to the new Government to provide the conditions for enterprise to continue to flourish, and help ensure the economic recovery is felt in all parts of the country.”
The Small Business Wish List
On behalf of the FSB, Verve surveyed 2,327 FSB members on 8th– 9th May after the election results were announced, asking them what priorities they wanted the Government to focus on over the next five years. The ten item wish list of the FSB members surveyed reveals that they want the Government to:
- Reduce the regulatory burden
- Introduce a more simplified tax system
- Reform business rates
- Improve the employability skills of young people
- Deliver improved broadband / mobile connectivity
- Help UK small businesses to create more jobs
- Tackle late payments
- Lower energy costs for businesses
- Ensure better access to finance
- Increase investment in infrastructure
Mike Cherry, National Policy Chairman of FSB, said: “This response from FSB members shows first and foremost businesses want stability and certainty. This requires putting public finances on a sound footing, and then for Ministers to give a comprehensive vision for how they will support enterprise followed by a clear timetable for when they will deliver it.”
Faith in the Future?
The survey also asked FSB members how confident they were that the new Government can deliver on its promises for small businesses. 51% of members said they were either confident or very confident, but 28% were not convinced, claiming to be either unconfident or very unconfident.
Since the survey, Anna Soubry has been appointed into the new role of Minster for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise, a move that ‘delighted’ the FSB. “This is a big win for the FSB as we have long been pushing for a dedicated voice at the heart of Government who could robustly advocate for the UK’s 5.2 million smaller firms,” said Mike Cherry.
Perhaps this warmly welcomed appointment will give the doubters among the FSB’s members a renewed faith in the future.