Small firms aim to create 40,000 new jobs

Date: 12th January 2009

Innovative proposals to create 40,000 new jobs in the small enterprise sector have been unveiled by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

According to the federation's blueprint, there are five key ways to help small businesses during the economic downturn.

Included in the group's Five Point Plan are promoting part-time employment; simplifying workplace legislation; cutting payroll taxes and investing in staff education.

John Wright, national chairman of the FSB, commented: "The ... Five Point Plan is going to be vital to creating and retaining jobs in the small business sector during what is going to be a challenging year, with unemployment on the rise."

He added that the government should be doing more to help small firms invest in recruitment and training, which Mr Wright stated could "pull the UK out of recession as quickly as possible".

Smaller businesses should also keep in mind the upcoming self-assessment tax return deadline, with all submissions having to be made by January 31st.