Federation of Small Businesses
Encyclopedia
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) was formed in 1974 and is the UK's leading business organisation representing small and medium sized businesses.
The FSB also offers its members a comprehensive package of benefits, including a 24 hour legal advice line and free business banking.
contributions, which represented an additional tax burden on the self-employed and the owners of small businesses.
Small invited anyone affected by the new tax to attend a meeting in his home town of Lytham St Annes
. At that meeting he put forward the idea of an organisation designed to promote the voice of the self-employed.
Similar meetings in other parts of the country followed and within nine months the NFSE had a membership of 25,000 with 200 new members joining every day.
The current name for the organisation was adopted in 1991.
Issues that the FSB lobbies on include:
Recent wins include: The introduction of a Government loan guarantee scheme, the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, which is 75 per cent backed by the Government thanks to FSB lobbying. The scheme is aimed at small businesses which are having trouble accessing finance. The Coalition Government also introduced a moratorium on regulation - something the FSB has long been calling for.
Westminster office: 020 7592 8100
Regions: Regional and branch contacts
About the FSB
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to protect and promote the FSB and small businesses. With more than 200,000 members, the FSB is a powerful lobbying organisation representing small firms to national, local and devolved Government.The FSB also offers its members a comprehensive package of benefits, including a 24 hour legal advice line and free business banking.
History
The FSB was originally known as the National Federation of Self-Employed (NFSE). It was founded in 1974 by Norman Small in response to the introduction of Class 4 National InsuranceNational Insurance
National Insurance in the United Kingdom was initially a contributory system of insurance against illness and unemployment, and later also provided retirement pensions and other benefits...
contributions, which represented an additional tax burden on the self-employed and the owners of small businesses.
Small invited anyone affected by the new tax to attend a meeting in his home town of Lytham St Annes
Lytham St Annes
Lytham St Annes is a conurbation in the Fylde district of Lancashire, England. The neighbouring towns of Lytham and St-Anne's-on-the-Sea have grown together and now form a seaside resort...
. At that meeting he put forward the idea of an organisation designed to promote the voice of the self-employed.
Similar meetings in other parts of the country followed and within nine months the NFSE had a membership of 25,000 with 200 new members joining every day.
The current name for the organisation was adopted in 1991.
Lobbying
The FSB lobbies Government locally and nationally on behalf of small businesses. It regularly surveys its members to find out their views on the issues of the day.Issues that the FSB lobbies on include:
- Banking
- Late payment
- Employment
- Post Offices
- Parking
- Pensions
Recent wins include: The introduction of a Government loan guarantee scheme, the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, which is 75 per cent backed by the Government thanks to FSB lobbying. The scheme is aimed at small businesses which are having trouble accessing finance. The Coalition Government also introduced a moratorium on regulation - something the FSB has long been calling for.
Member benefits
The FSB is committed to delivering a wide range of high quality, good value business services to its members and include services such as:- 24 hour legal advice line
- Free business banking
- Fuel card
- Discounts on insurance
- Factoring services
Contacts
Head Office: 01253 336000Westminster office: 020 7592 8100
Regions: Regional and branch contacts