Politicans told to think small first
Politicians across Europe have been urged to consider the needs of small companies first when formulating new business reguations.
The Forum of Private Business, members of which employ 10 workers on average, called on ministers to sign up to its 'Think Smallest First' campaign.
Speaking in Brussels at a conference on the new Small Business Act for Europe, an attempt to bring together initiatives aimed at SMEs, FPB chief executive Phil Orford said small companies are particularly vulnerable to suffering at the hands of red tape; an issue which is even more important during the current global economic slowdown.
"We – as organisations representing small businesses across the European Union – have an opportunity to use the Small Business Act for Europe to hold the commission and member states governments to their commitments," Orford told delegates.
"Our members cannot do this by themselves. We have an obligation to support our members by driving a better regulation and simplification agenda, utilising a number of mechanisms."
The FPB's call came as new research released by fellow lobby group the Federation of Small Businesses showed 96% of SME owners are unhappy with the government's record.
According to the poll of over 9,000 entrepreneurs, 90% believed government policy was making the impact of already crippling business costs, such as fuel, even worse.
John Wright, FSB national chairman, said small business confidence in ministers has "plummeted" over the past few years.
"All we see is government consulting big business, with small businesses being left out of the loop," he added. "But small businesses produce over half of UK GDP and it is important that their needs are addressed if we are to get through the current economic difficulties.”
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BusinessZONE - 23-Jun-2008
Categories: News
Story read: 1459
