FSB: 'more members than Labour Party'
Small business lobby group The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has reached 200,000 members - more than the UK's three leading business groups combined.
The FSB, which also represents 2.5 million employees, has more members than the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Institute of Directors (IoD) put together.
And its membership is now also at a similar level to that of the leading political parties, with Labour having slightly fewer members than the FSB.
The FSB also directly represents 2.5m employees, nearly twice as many as the UK's largest trade union, Unison.
The Federation's national chairman is now calling on the Government and other politicians to give due consideration to such a large voice in policy-making, weighing it against the demands of smaller interest groups.
FSB North-East regional chairman Colin Stratton said: "At a time when the Government is aiming for sustained economic growth and larger firms are relocating overseas, small businesses keep delivering the goods for British workers and the economy.
"We expect policy-makers to treat our views with the respect that they deserve, given the weight of such a large membership behind it.
"The growth of the FSB during the recent past is a truly great achievement. No other organisation can credibly claim to speak authoritatively on behalf of UK small businesses."
The FSB also pointed out that, between 2000 and 2004, large firms shed 1.5 million jobs and, in the same timescale, small businesses created two million jobs.
Mr Stratton said: "Let there be no doubt that, together, small businesses are big news, making up over 99% of all UK businesses.
"Small firms in total employ 12 million workers, which is more than half of the private sector workforce, contributing over 50% of UK GDP and 60% of all commercial innovations.
"Therefore, to safeguard the future prospects of the UK economy, the interests of small businesses must rise up the political agenda. Even more jobs could then be created.
"We congratulate all the FSB staff, in particular the award-winning recruitment team, for achieving continued rapid growth of FSB membership."
