Brown's brave new world needs smaller businesses too, says FPB
AC_FL_RunContent( 'codebase','http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,19,0','width','550','height','50','src','/images/page_titles_small?headline=Brown’s brave new world needs smaller businesses too, says FPB','quality','high','pluginspage','http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer','wmode','transparent','movie','/images/page_titles_small?headline=Brown’s brave new world needs smaller businesses too, says FPB' ); //end AC code Unfortunately you do not have Macromedia Flash installed. Click here to download Flash Player 6 or higher 12 July 2007 Email article : Print article : More articles like this The FPB has called upon the new Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, John Hutton, to ensure that the voice of the UK's small and medium-sized firms is heard at the heart of Government. The FPB has written to Mr Hutton to highlight the need to replace the now defunct Small Business Council, an advisory body of trade associations and smaller entrepreneurs which reported the concerns of smaller firms to the Minister for Enterprise. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced a string of changes to the machinery and functioning of Government, including the creation of a new ‘Business Council' comprising, among others, representatives of large multinationals, to advise him on business issues. Matt Hardman, the FPB's Campaigns Manager, wrote in his letter to Mr Hutton: "Smaller firms must have a voice at the heart of Government". He expressed concern that the newly-created Business Council ‘…contains no representatives from smaller firms and does not show the Government's awareness of their importance in a positive light.' Mr Hardman commented that Mr Hutton must realise it is vital for the UK economy that he ensures the prosperity and growth of businesses across the UK: "Small and medium-sized firms, in particular, contribute half of UK private sector Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and nearly 60% of employment opportunities." The FPB's letter also highlighted the importance of accelerating efforts to reduce administrative burdens resulting from EU regulations. Mr Hardman noted that the FPB is convinced that only a reduction in the stock of regulations will bring real benefits and improve competitiveness. The FPB is hopeful that this reduction will be achieved through the newly-formed Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR). Mr Hardman believes that they need to "…challenge other Departments of State as well as the European Union to ensure that their policies do not unduly burden smaller firms."