Courage and creativity needed

“With 2012 expected to be another difficult year one thing is certain – entrepreneurs will continue to show courage and creativity in the face of adversity. Of course, they will also need enterprise policies that free them to grow and create jobs.

“The continuing scarcity of affordable credit, rising late payments, mounting business costs and turmoil in the eurozone, in addition to the perennial problems of tax and red tape, are sapping both cash flow and confidence.

“However, almost a year on from the launch of the Forum’s major Get Britain Trading campaign, I want to consider some of our successes and look forward to what small firms and the economy need to get back on track next year.

“We launched Get Britain Trading to raise awareness of the key economic role small businesses play and to address the barriers they face.

“As part of the campaign we have helped business owners engage more directly in the democratic process via our well-received Business Buddy ‘work placements’, where politicians spend time at local firms in order to better understand and represent their concerns.

“Our work has already produced some important policy developments. After many years of campaigning by the Forum the Government has finally scrapped the Channel Islands Low Value Consignment Relief (LVCR) tax loophole, which allows large companies to move offshore in order to sell many goods online VAT-free, undercutting small mainland shops and internet traders. The beleaguered high street has at last been given a fighting chance – and a welcome Christmas present.

“The Forum is also leading a late payment initiative involving most of the UK’s major industry organisations, with some strong and innovative proposals designed to address a growing problem that is a major drain on resources.

“On the other side of the finance equation we are also making progress – including helping to bridge communication gaps between banks and business owners and championing alternative funders to help them compete.

“The same is true of our lobbying on tax and regulation. However, there is a long way to go and we will continue push hard for the right policies in these important areas, as well as on employment, skills, growth opportunities and the provision of targeted business support.

2012: the year ahead

“Clearly 2012 will again be challenging. If a ‘double dip’ recession is to be avoided we must create the conditions necessary to fuel small business growth.

“Confidence is low but, despite the difficulties they face, there is some optimism among small business owners. More than a quarter of our members surveyed recently plan to grow in the next six months. Some are even reporting stronger orders and turnover compared to this time last year.

“The Forum is re-energising Get Britain Trading for 2012 and we are again asking our members to tell us their fears, hopes and expectations for the year ahead.

“The results will be published early in the new year, when we hope events such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, football’s Euro 2012 and of course the London Olympics and Paralympics will provide a few of the economic ‘bounces’ the UK needs.

“We are still just at the beginning of our efforts to create a better business environment. In representing smaller businesses, our strength and voice lies in the power of the collective.

“That is why I never tire of urging people to join our campaign at www.getbritaintrading.co.uk”