|
But as the country faces the single most important decision to England's economic, political, social and business future, the fence is groaning under of the weight of indecision and uncertainty among the small business community.
Self-employment group, IPSE, stands almost alone, in called for an 'in' vote. While others representative groups go out of their way to avoid coming down on one side or another, but instead calling for an informed debate.
IPSE - Remain 'in'
Self-employment group, IPSE, had attended a Downing Street meeting last week to lay the groundwork for the EU proposals and referendum.
The Prime Minister outlined what to business leaders and representives his idea of what the proposed reform package will mean for UK business, including the self-employed workforce.
IPSE said that the deal’s commitment to cutting red tape and reducing administrative burdens would be welcome news for the UK’s 4.6 million self-employed; IPSE’s own research found that making regulation less burdensome was important to most freelancers (59 per cent). A similar number called for greater scrutiny of EU laws by Member States, a concern the Prime Minister has addressed in the proposed deal.
IPSE surveyed over 3,000 independent professionals, contractors and freelancers in September 2015, and found that 61 per cent would vote to remain in the EU, while only a quarter would vote to leave, with 14 per cent undecided.
Chief Executive Chief Bryce said: “A clear majority of our members want to remain in the EU, and the proposed deal shows a real commitment to making it easier to do business. Our members will welcome the Prime Minister’s efforts in ensuring they can maximise their contribution to the UK economy.
“Unlike employees, the self-employed are their own admin team – so any regulation that adds an extra burden to running their business holds them back. I was able to express this directly to the Prime Minister.”
FPB - 'Informed debate'
The Forum of Private Business is urging for an informed debate that will allow their members and other employers to make their choice based on the best evidence available.
Advertisement 
Ian Cass, Managing Director of the Forum wrote in a note to members: “The feedback suggests that opinions are divided, everyone has their own opinion and they have a vote by which to express that opinion, myself included, so with that in mind I feel it would be inappropriate for the Forum to take a side in this debate.
"The whole point of a referendum is that the power is put in the hands of individual people to make up their minds about the question, based on the arguments put forward by the respective campaigns - rather than the Forum seeking to direct how they should vote, so we will not be campaigning for either side of the argument.”
The Forum says it will be looking for both sides to clarify the issues for so that employers and employees can vote for the option that they feel will bring long term prosperity to the nation. Forum members reported that the previous regime did not do well representing business interests in Europe with one in five reporting that the coalition was weak on this issue and that both sides needed to produce robust evidence of how the UK will benefit as a result of a decision to stay in or to leave.
Mr Cass said: “As our members and other SME employers will create 70% of jobs over the next decade, it is important that they are heard in this debate for the long term prosperity of the economy. But it needs to be an informed debate. That is why the Forum will be writing to all key stakeholders to understand their vision of the relationship between the UK and the rest of Europe, inviting members to provide feedback to our policy team and undertaking a number of twitter debates on the subject.”
FSB - Practical issues
The Federation of Small Businesses also attended the Downing Street round table meeting on EU reform. At the time, Mike Cherry, Policy Director for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "It is very clear what our members want from the Prime Minister’s EU negotiations and from the wider EU reform agenda. Small firms seek measures to boost cross-border trade and economic growth - the completion of the single market, simplification of VAT,a smarter approach to regulation and protection of the opt-out under the Working Time Directive.
Advertisement 
“As we approach the referendum, FSB members will seek practical and impartial evidence on the impact on their businesses of remaining within or leaving the EU. We will be putting questions directly to both the leave and remain campaign groups once they are appointed by the Electoral Commission, and demanding the information that smaller businesses owners need before casting their vote.”
When the date of the referendum was announced after the Prime Minister's trip to Brussels,
Mr Cherry said: "FSB’s role as the voice of smaller businesses will be critical when the referendum campaign officially begins.
“Our research shows small business owners want both official campaigns to focus on the practical impact that remaining within or leaving the EU would have on their firms. We will push both sides to address the questions our members want to see answered, before they cast their vote.”
BCC - Without fear or favour
On the British Chambers of Commerce’s approach to the referendum campaign,
BCC Director General, John Longworth said: “The BCC will not be campaigning for either Remain or Leave, given the very real divisions that exist in business communities across the UK.
“In the months leading up to the referendum, we will actively survey business opinion and inform the debate without fear or favour. Additionally, we will be demanding clear information and facts from both the Remain and Leave campaigns so that business people can make an informed choice at the ballot box.”
--
If you wish to comment on this article, please log in and use the Reply button below. Registering is free and easy - see 'Join Shout99'.
-
Susie Hughes © Shout99 2016
|
