Scheme to help small businesses
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The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has advised the government that swift action is needed to assist small firms in this challenging economic time. With many of the small firms planning further layoffs, in an attempt to make much-needed savings, help will hopefully avoid them having to make any further cuts to staff.
According to a survey of around 1,600 FSB members, one in 13 are planning to make workers redundant in the first quarter of 2012. Official data published this week by Office for National Statistics revealed that unemployment rose to 2.68 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.
“The beginning of 2012 is beginning to look bleak, with confidence incredibly low and businesses looking to shed staff. However, things do not need to be so negative,” said FSB National Chairman John Walker. “If the government makes the right choices and puts action into words then we can turn this around.”
Mr. Walker recommended exempting micro businesses from certain employment regulations, including the right to request flexible working.
The survey came after the Trades Union Congress (TUC) warned that job seekers are faced with an increasingly bleak outlook. More than 700,000 jobs are expected to go in the public sector over the duration of the current parliament, which is higher than initial government estimates suggested.
With the FSB making it clear that help is needed for small businesses, Prime Minister David Cameron will shortly be announcing new plans to free up unused space in government-owned buildings, in order to help start-up businesses.
As a much needed boost for the many freelancers and small business, Mr. Cameron will tell a group of entrepreneurs in northeast England later today that the state will seek to attract small firms to occupy vacant and under-used space, at more than 300 buildings across the country, according to the Daily Telegraph.
“The British government has a huge stock of buildings at our disposal. The first priority for the ones we aren't using is to sell them off, but in the meantime, many are going to be sitting idle,” he is expected to say. “So let’s match the capacity we’ve got with the need that's out there.”
Only small businesses will be eligible to take advantage of the scheme, which will allow them to sign up for cheap tenancies at government-owned sites for one year whilst they establish themselves. Helping many businesses to get on their feet, the scheme is offering a much-needed boost to the economy too. |
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Author Resource:-
It is hoped the initiative will ensure the assets are used productively until buyers are found. Helping those taking on freelance work, as well as those working as freelance programmers, for example, the scheme looks set be one that is extremely popular, and hopefully a scheme the government ends up extending.
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By :
Jane Clarke
Submitted
2012-02-06 14:46:01 |
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