Many small and medium-sized businesses feel they are merely an afterthought in the government’s agenda, it has been claimed.
The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) believes that more focus is put on big business, despite small firms making up the majority of the private sector.
“The complexity of dealing with the many layers of government whilst trying to run a successful business is the bane of many employers lives in the [small business] sector,” said David Frost, director general of the BCC.
“Despite comprising such a large proportion of the economy, the feeling is that the government is keen to hear the views of big multinationals yet sees small businesses as an afterthought.
“This would certainly explain why so many government departments offer complexity rather than clarity in dealing with [small businesses].”
The BCC has suggested a number of schemes as part of its 2007 Budget submission, in a bid to ease the burden on smaller companies.
The organisation claims there is ‘mounting frustration in trying to deal with the tax office and at the overly prescriptive nature of the penalty regime’. It is suggesting a single point of contact for firms dealing with the tax office to ease the administrative burden.
According to the BCC, the relationship between HM Revenue and Customs and small and medium-sized businesses is in ‘crucial need of reform’.
Another request is for a public procurement system which is more conducive to small firms gaining contracts, as well as more clarity on how businesses can be energy efficient.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
