SMEs and the General Election

 Microsoft hosted the latest quarterly SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) Advisory Panel a couple of weeks ago, and the topic was – not unnaturally – the possible implications of the election on small businesses. Panellists included:

  • Robert Epstein, Head of Small Business, Microsoft SMB UK
  • Stephen Pegge, Communications Director, Lloyds TSB Commercial
  • Stephen Alambritis, Head of Public Affairs Federation of Small Businesses
  • Henry Eldelbaum, Director of AIMS, Accountants for Businesses
  • Tom Wenham, Sportsworks

 

The panel focused on three main topics of discussion:

  1. Now is the time of the entrepreneur - The Government’s recent decision to increase the ‘Entrepreneurs’ Relief’ is one way in which start-ups can improve cash-flow. What more needs to be done in order for start-ups to thrive in the UK market?

     

  2. Balancing regulation and compliance - Labour has promised to cut six billion pounds worth of regulation by 2015. For small businesses, is less regulation definitely more? What are the key regulation areas which need to be changed by the next Government?

  3. Creating a climate of investment - With all three mainstream political parties announcing various investments and financing initiatives aimed specifically at businesses, SMEs can be forgiven for not understanding the opportunities available to them. What options are there and how should small businesses spend the money which is available to them?

Read more, and watch the video on the SME Advisory Panel website page.