Domestic issues such as lowering the cost of doing business are as important as Brexit amongst the election priorities for small businesses, according to new research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) published today.
As the largest business representative organisation, FSB asked members to identify the single most important issue for their business.
Throughout the UK, over three quarters (76%) of respondents prioritised issues other than Brexit for the next Government. In Northern Ireland, small businesses named their main priority as lowering the cost of doing business.
Overall, a majority (61%) of respondents still identify delivering a good Brexit deal as one of their top priorities alongside improving support for the self employed (46%), investment in infrastructure (38%) and investment in skills (37%).
Wilfred Mitchell OBE, FSB Policy Chair for Northern Ireland said: “The number of small businesses that have reported an increase in their operating costs is at its highest since 2013, and FSB has warned Government, both locally and nationally, that the rising costs of doing business make it harder to invest, expand and create jobs.
“Accounting for approximately 75% of turnover and employment in the private sector – significantly more than the average of the UK as a whole – Northern Ireland’s small businesses and the self-employed are vital to ensuring the success of the local economy.
“The next government must help small businesses to thrive and avoid putting more barriers – both financial and regulatory – in their way”
FSB’s Election Manifesto 2017 sets out the priorities for the next government, including protecting the self-employed from being singled-out for tax grabs such as higher National Insurance; helping the self-employed access equal maternity pay and to get fairer treatment under Universal Credit.
The manifesto also calls for new measures to curb supply-chain bullying by big businesses of their small business suppliers, new protections for small businesses in their community, and reforms to business rates, energy bills, R&D tax credits and public procurement.
It also urges the next government to freeze Fuel Duty and Insurance Premium Tax in the next Budget.
Mr Mitchell added: “Clearly, Brexit is the backdrop to this election; small businesses want to see easy-to-use trade deals, continued access to the skills and workforce that they need, and a replacement for EU funding and investment streams.
“It is also clear from today’s member survey that there are plenty of domestic issues that will also be crucial in ensuring the success of small businesses over the course of the next Parliament.
“FSB is urging candidates to keep this domestic agenda to the fore as they contest the forthcoming election and make their commitments to small business.”