SmallBusinessNewz

It shouldn't be long before we have answers (or at least, statements from politicians) regarding small businesses and the economic situation in the UK.  First Minister Alex Salmond, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, and Shadow Chancellor George Osborne will speak at the Federation of Small Businesses' Aberdeen Conference this Friday.

Scottish Policy Convenor Andy Willox is likely to focus on the availability of loans when he gets a chance to ask the men some questions.  In an FSB statement, Willox said, "We . . . want to hear how our political leaders intend to get fair, affordable finance moving again and how they will help our cash-flow by tackling late payments."

Then National Chairman John Wright can be expected to hone in the subject of employment.  He asked, "[H]ow do our politicians propose to make it easier for small businesses to get on this job and take on more staff?  Rather than making it harder by increasing employers' National Insurance Contributions, why aren't we helping small businesses create employment by exempting these new jobs from employers' National Insurance Contributions for the first few months?"

Let's hope these questions receive some good responses.  Or even promises of action, rather than just explanations.

The fact that the politicians have all decided to attend the conference is a positive sign, anyway.