FSB voices concern over LEP

Date: 13th September 2010

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the government to ensure that the UK's small firms are "fully involved" with the development of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).

According to the organisation, it is "imperative" that small and micro businesses, which it says are the drivers of local economy, have their views properly represented on any LEP.

The comments come as the deadline for local councils to submit plans for LEPs passed last week.

Mike Cherry, policy chairman at the FSB, said: "The government will undoubtedly have received many strong proposals, but we are concerned that in some of the proposals submitted there has been a lack of proper business engagement.

"We are today urging the government to ensure that where there has been insufficient business input into the proposals that they are asked to go away and work further with business to set out a plan with enterprise involved."

Posted by Thomas Fletcher