National Enterprise Network is a member of the Small Business Taskforce. This month they have set out a 10-point manifesto to government. The taskforce, a collective of 11 organisations that represent two million small firms and self-employed individuals, will highlight points from the manifesto in upcoming meetings with ministers and policy makers. The 10 points in the manifesto provide […]
National Enterprise Network is a member of the Small Business Taskforce. This month they have set out a 10-point manifesto to government.
The taskforce, a collective of 11 organisations that represent two million small firms and self-employed individuals, will highlight points from the manifesto in upcoming meetings with ministers and policy makers. The 10 points in the manifesto provide recommendations which can help Britain remain one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business.
In summary, the recommendations are:
1. Accurate statistics – Coordinate the delivery of data which accurately captures and measures statistics on the SME market, including those firms with less than 10 employees.
2. Definition of self-employment – Resolve the confusion around the classification of self-employment in order to lead to fair taxation and a better understanding of working this way.
3. Procurement – Create a simplified bidding process that enables small businesses to apply more easily for government contracts.
4. EIS Tax relief – Ensure HMRC receives the resources it needs to process EIS relief applications more quickly.
5. Childcare support – Extend shared parental leave and 30 free hours of childcare to the self-employed, while considering how free childcare hours can be scaled to be offered to younger children.
6. Prompt Payment – Establish a single gateway for small businesses to flag payment concerns, and routes the business to one of four directions in order to achieve a quicker resolution.
7. High street – Consider a model tenancy agreement for private landlords, enabling small businesses to test trade on the High Street.
8. Business support – Establish a group focused on how small business support can be funded post-Brexit by harnessing technology and data like Open Banking.
9. Space – Relax business rates for co-working spaces in specific areas (where business start-ups are low) in order to help microbusinesses start up, collaborate and flourish.
10. The next generation – Ensure business and entrepreneurship is seen as a credible choice for young people in school and further/higher education.
Download the full Small Business Manifesto – April 2018
The 10-point manifesto will be delivered over the next few weeks at meetings held by the 11 organisations comprising: National Enterprise Network, Enterprise Nation, IPSE, the British Library, RSA, Centre for Entrepreneurs, unLtd, Social Enterprise UK, The Entrepreneurs Network, EISA, and peak b.
