FSB wants to see a cut in NICs

A cut in national insurance contributions would help small businesses employ more staff, according to one expert.

John Wright, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), stated that members of his organisation have a vital role to play in encouraging economic recovery but they require help.

He was speaking after a survey by the FSB and ICM found that 58% of people questioned felt that the UK tax system is preventing them from taking on more workers.

And Mr Wright said that particular attention needed to be paid to the under-25s, as they make up a large proportion of the people currently jobless.

In late 2009, the FSB-ICM Voice of Small Business annual survey found that 19% of groups interviewed intended to make new appointments in the next 12 months.

It was recently reported that in the final quarter of last year small and medium-sized enterprises had recorded their best export volumes since January 2008.