The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is calling on the UK’s politicians to recognise that the economic strength of the UK is reliant on the country’s five million small businesses.
FPB chief executive Ian Cass commented: “‘The voice of small business has been completely ignored during the election campaign, with both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn both demonstrating that they have no real understanding of the critical role played by businesses to the importance to the UK, both in economic contribution and job creation.”
Faced with a period of increased instability and uncertainty that a hung parliament is likely to bring to the business community, Mr Cass is pushing for business to be put at the heart of government, with a Small Business Minister sitting at the Cabinet table “and having teeth”.
He explained: “Businesses are tired of being paid lip service to. We have over five million business leaders in this country. Young and old, North and South, Remain and Leave, who have their feet firmly on the ground and need, once and for all, to be taken notice of, as the negotiations with Europe are progressed.”
The Forum’s ‘Get Britain Trading’ campaign welcomes Members of Parliament into Forum member businesses. so that they can truly understand what is needed to make the British high street great again.
“With such a divisive split in the UK political scene, it is time for business to take control of the country’s future,” Mr Cass added. “Not just big business with their sights purely on shareholder value, but small businesses who live and breathe common sense survival in a changing world. In pushing for a proper, long-term, Small Business Cabinet Minister, the Forum stands ready to support the government and its members in creating a strong and stable future UK. This will not come from politicians throwing verbal stones at each other and trotting out sound bites. It will come from a sensible and calm business approach,’ emphasises Ian Cass, a business owner in his own right.
“The politicians have a choice. Listen and take note of the business voice, or continue sounding the ‘mayday’ siren.”