Fsb

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged the Scottish Government to use January’s Scottish Budget to protect small businesses facing significant non-domestic rates rises. Some of the stalwarts of local high streets, including independent pubs and post offices, are facing huge rates r

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called for urgent action to shelter small businesses from the threat of huge rises in their non-domestic rates. Businesses across Scotland are discovering how much they may have to pay in business rates from 1 April next year following a review of the rat

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on East Lothian Council to consider a seasonal Visitor Levy rather than a blanket year-round tax, warning that rushing implementation could damage the region’s status as "Scotland’s Golf Coast". Responding to the council's consultation,

More than a quarter of Scottish small businesses are expecting to shrink as ongoing cost pressures take their toll on revenues, new Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) figures reveal. FSB’s latest Small Business Index (SBI) in Scotland for Q3 found 29.1% of small firms expect to contract in t

Stirling Council has been urged to wait for clarification of Scotland’s Visitor Levy legislation before considering a local tax that risks causing confusion and damaging the city’s tourist economy.

Guesthouse and B&B owners in the Edinburgh fear time is running out for them to be ready for the launch of the country’s first Visitor Levy.

Scottish councils must be more transparent about how much they spend with small businesses, if Scotland is to deliver on its ambitions to increase spending with local firms, new research has revealed. Gaps and inconsistencies in the way local authorities record their spending with small and local co

The number of small businesses expecting to shrink, close or sell up outstrips the number expecting to grow in Scotland for the first time since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, new figures from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) have revealed. More than a quarter of small businesses (28.7%

The Federation of Small Businesses has warned Aberdeen’s Visitor Levy proposals represent a gamble with the city’s ambitions to establish itself as a leading tourist destination. Responding to Aberdeen City Council’s consultation on its Visitor Levy plans, FSB said the proposed 7%

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged the Scottish Government to learn lessons from the Visitor Levy before introducing powers to impose an additional charge on cruise ships. The Scottish Government is consulting on the benefits and challenges associated with implementing a local author

Less than a quarter of small firms in Scotland expect to transition to net zero by 2045 as businesses struggle with the high upfront cost of green investment, according to a new report. The New Growth report, published by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in partnership with Zurich UK, sets o

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland has welcomed publication of the final report of the Scottish Government’s New Deal for Business Group (NDBG). However, the business representative group has warned that the findings must continue to be pushed forward if a true reset of the r

Confidence among Scotland's small businesses has fallen to its lowest level since the height of the pandemic, according to new research. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said its Small Business Index (SBI) found confidence fell to -67.2 in Q4 2024, its lowest level since Q4 2020, when it sto

Two-thirds of local authorities in Scotland are considering introducing a Visitor Levy following confirmation of the country’s first scheme in Edinburgh, according to research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland.  Data compiled by FSB Scotland shows 21 out of 32 Scotti

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scotland has cautioned that the rushed introduction of the UK's first Visitor Levy could severely disrupt Edinburgh's accommodation sector. Scheduled for a council vote this Friday, the levy would see B&Bs, hotels, and other accommodation providers begin