Alan Soady

📻 Before entering your next business idea into an AI chatbot, wouldn't you want to know how it'll be used? FSB's media director, @AlanSoady, tells @SimonConway on @LBCNews that small firms need clearer information about what AI platforms do with their prompts and data 👇

💼 FSB’s Alan Soady tells @TomSwarbrick1 that plans to scrap day-one unfair dismissal rights and set a six-month qualifying period are welcome. 📢We led detailed discussions with the government because it was clear that part of the Employment Rights Bill would've had a huge impact on hiring.

🐟 A £40,000 fine dished out by the Home Office to a fish and chip shop in Surrey for a genuine clerical error when conducting right-to-work checks is completely disproportionate, and could have led to the closure of the business. 📻 FSB's Alan Soady tells @JamesCannon66 on @BBCSurrey why the use of huge fines against well-intentioned small employers needs an urgent review 👇

📣 SMALL BUSINESSES - we want your views on US import tariffs in our new survey. 🚢 Whether you trade directly with the US or you’re part of supply chains involving the US, your views are critical and will help shape our policy recommendations to Government on how to respond to US tariffs 📦 Take the survey now 🔗 unbrandedfsbbigvoice.uk/c/r/…

Tariffs, national insurance, minimum wage, business rates, energy bills… Small businesses are facing a raft of increasing cost pressures. FSB’s Policy Chair @tinamckenz has been highlighting it @BBCRadio4 #youandyours – and explaining the impact on small business confidence and ability to grow. 📻⬇️

📺 As the US tariffs on UK goods kick in, FSB’s Policy Chair @tinamckenz has been telling @BBCBreakfast it’ll be tough for the 60% of small exporters in the UK who have the US as a key market - and they can’t just pivot to other markets overnight 👇 #TrumpTariff

After speculation about a rise in employer national insurance, the Chancellor needs to use this week’s Budget to show the Govt fully supports small businesses. FSB’s @craigie_b has been telling @BBCBreakfast what hard-working small business owners want to see 📺

📻We spoke to @ShelaghFogarty on @LBC today about the potential impacts of new employment measures on small businesses. It's crucial that small firms aren't deterred from taking on new staff, which has knock-on effects on growth and investment.

🎤 Small businesses and the self-employed: be part of the live General Election Small Business Debate on 17 June, 6pm. Book a place for in-person or online attendance now: eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-gener… You'll hear from, and be able to question: Kevin Hollinrake, Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade @Conservatives; Jonathan Reynolds, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade @UKLabour; Sarah Olney, Treasury and Business and Industrial Strategy spokesperson @LibDems.

📺 Following the launch of our manifesto, FSB Policy Chair @tinamckenz sets out why all those seeking to form the next Government should show their commitment to the millions of voters who run their own businesses. Read it here 🔗 fsb.org.uk/resources-page/fs… #SmallBusinessManifesto

🚨We've published the Manifesto for Small Businesses and the Self-Employed ahead of July's General Election, setting out what small businesses want to see from the next Government: 🔗 fsb.org.uk/static/82054790-2…

🗓️ OUT TODAY: Our latest Small Business Index survey #SBI for Q1 2024 found small business confidence returned to positive territory for the first time in two years 📈   📺 Our Chief of External Affairs @craigie_b spoke to @IanKingSky about what it means for small businesses 👇

🗣️ It was positive to hear the Chancellor explain how he'd listened to our calls to support small firms in today's #Budget2024. ➡️ There were welcome announcements including an increase in the #VAT threshold, a cut in self-employed National Insurance Contributions #NICs, and an extension of the Recovery Loan Scheme.

Say hello to Picoh and Ohbot!🤖 To mark the launch of our new AI report, #RedefiningIntelligence, these two cheeky robots (created by FSB members @OhbotRobot) popped into our office to share their thoughts. ☕️ Spoiler alert - they're fans of independently owned coffee shops👇

For this year's #NAW2024 we asked apprentice George Farmer to give us a glimpse into his working day at @ColesSewing in Nottingham. 🪡 👷‍♂️👩‍💼Apprenticeships allow small firms like FSB member Coles Sewing Centre to help shape the next generation, while building skills within their team. #SkillsforLife

Have you been the victim of business crime? Well, you're not alone. 🚔 In FSB's new report, #CrackingTheCase, we call on the Government and others to take urgent action to tackle the scourge of business crime by: 👩🏽‍💼 Introducing a separate offence for violence against retail workers. 🛍️⁠ Dispelling the myth that there is no £200 threshold for investigating organised shoplifting offences. 🗳️ Making sure that business crime is a top priority in all Police and Crime Plans, and in the manifestos of those standing for election in May 2024. If your small firm has been impacted by business crime - tell us in the comments, or send us a message 👇

🆕 OUT TODAY: Our new report #CrackingTheCase found that small businesses are facing a double whammy of virtual and physical crime, and puts forward recommendations on how to tackle them 💼   🚨 Over 80% of small firms across England and Wales have been affected by at least one crime in the last two years.   💷 Nearly 9 in 10 small firms that experienced traditional crime such as theft or burglary said they faced financial losses as a result.   Read the full report 🔗 fsb.org.uk/resource-report/c…

As we head into next year, it’s vital to achieve greater economic growth 🎙️ ✅ The UK’s 5.6 million small businesses are central to that, and the Government should introduce more policies that foster an environment where SMEs can grow in 2024. We spoke to @LBCNews ⤵️