Britain’s European Membership

Calls To “Radically Reform” Support For Businesses Following Brexit

Calls To “Radically Reform” Support For Businesses Following Brexit

Shane Donnelly May 11, 2017 News

Calls have been made to “radically reform” the small business support network in the UK, as firms begin to get ready for life outside the European Union. The Reformed Business Funding: What small firms want from Brexit, from the Federation of Small Businesses, claims that when the UK formally leaves the EU, a dedicated £3.6bn fund to develop the competitiveness of UK small businesses will be lost. Expected to end in 2021, there is currently no regional or national equivalent to take its place, nor any discussions of a replacement in the pipeline. 78% of small enterprises have sought business support services over the last 12 months, with those in Yorkshire (25%), the North East (22%) and North West (18%) the most likely to submit applications for EU-funded schemes. As a result of its findi... »

Small Business Divided Over the UK Remaining in the EU

Small Business Divided Over the UK Remaining in the EU

Natasha Mc Gowan September 21, 2015 News

A clear small business divide on Britain’s European Membership (EU) has been made evident in a recent study by the Federation of Small Business (FSB). When asked what their vote would be at present, 47% of small business owners said they would vote to stay in the EU, 41% said they would vote to leave, 11% said they were undecided and 1% said they wouldn’t vote or refused to give their opinion. Businesses in England were found to be the most in favour of a Brexit with 43% affirming that they wanted to leave the EU. While Scotland was the most in favour of staying in the EU at 60%, followed by Northern Ireland at 54% and Wales at 49%. Over half (55%) of the London-based companies surveyed said they supported Britain’s EU status opposed to the East Midlands, who were the least in favour at 49... »