Small Businesses Call the Statisticians to Wake Up
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has finally had enough of the government sitting in a sandpit, chewing over the latest data from the Office for National Statistics. Time to get the facts straight!
New ONS Snapshot
- Unemployment has climbed to 4.7%, not the steady 4.5% they’d hoped.
- More people have been taken off employer payrolls.
- Wage growth has slowed to the point where if it were a car, it would be stuck in a traffic jam.
What the FSB Chair Says
Tina McKenzie, the FSB’s policy chair, calls the numbers “disturbing”. She’s talking about the heavy evidence that every time we add a cost or a risk to hiring, job opportunities shrink like a bubble in the sun.
“People are already being shut out of work, and with the benefits bill on the rise, growth and prosperity are starting to feel like a distant dream,” she adds with a sigh.
So, the message from small business bosses? The government needs to stop sleeping on the job and actually do something about the job market. The stopwatch has beeping—now’s the moment for action!
Reeves hit with yet another bombshell as the economy shrinks further as the Autumn Budget approaches
Mastering Adaptive Leadership When Chaos Is the New Normal
Ever feel like you’re steering a ship through a hurricane? Adaptive leadership is the compass that helps you navigate those stormy waters. Below are five practical steps that will turn you from a reactionary captain into a smooth‑ridden strategist.
Step 1 – Embrace the Unknown
- Drop the “I know what’s happening” bluff; it’s a myth.
- Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” and then cheerfully plan for that scenario.
- Keep a “surprise log” – jot notes on what truly surprises you.
Step 2 – Listen, then Speak Wisely
- Micro‑listen to your team’s frontline chatter – they often spot dangers before you do.
- Respond with short, clear words. Avoid long speeches that turn into teapot rants.
- Use anecdotes – “Remember that time the client cried over the launch? Let’s avoid that again.”
Step 3 – Experiment Like a Scientist
- Break the big problem into tiny experiments. Think of each trial as a “beta test” for ideas.
- Celebrate both successes and fail‑ups. Failures are just data points that bring you closer to the right answer.
- Keep a visual board (Kanban or whiteboard) so everyone can see progress.
Step 4 – Cultivate a “Growth” Mindset
- Reframe setbacks as “learning moments.” Praise effort, not just outcome.
- Encourage team members to share quick wins and lessons learned in short stand‑up meetings.
- When you’re stuck, ask, “What would a great leader do here?” and try that approach.
Step 5 – Balance Flexibility with Structure
- Create a core set of guiding principles that never change – like company values or safety standards.
- Under those principles, allow teams to choose tactics that best fit the situation.
- Periodically revisit and tweak the structural frameworks to keep them relevant.
With these five steps in your toolkit, you’ll not only survive turbulence but thrive in it. Take a deep breath, roll up your sleeves, and lead with the confidence that you can adapt, learn, and conquer whatever chaos comes your way.
Firms ‘sound the alarm’ on the impact of the Chancellor’s ‘NICs and other employment costs’
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Government’s “Growth” Drives Job Ninety‑Sixer
Another wave of tax hikes and new hoops from the government has left many small businesses out in the cold. This flu‑ish season of fiscal policies is turning a once‑buzzing market into a job‑seeker’s wonderland — but in all the wrong direction.
Who’s Suffering?
- Small firms – trading hubs that once sprouted bright ideas and jobs are now struggling with soaring overheads.
- People demanding health and welfare contracts until they are “debt‑free” with a 2020 tax boost.
- The entire economy – a stagnant beast where growth feels like a distant myth.
Experts shout out from the rooftops, pleading that policy makers use real numbers, not fuzzy wish‑fulfilments. The crowd of cynical corporate advisors is screaming, “Is there a secret sauce that can fix this?” but it seems only a full social calendar of fragile businesses will be the cure.
Data‑sayer’s Findings
The Financial Small Business Club (FSB) ripped‑apart 2025 Q2 data:
• 20 % of businesses cut staff, while only 9 % added new hires.
• Forecast for the next quarter: 19 % will trim heads, 8 % will grow.
In 15 years of data, 27 % of firms expect to shrink or shut down, compared with 25 % who foresee expansion. If this trend’s a tectonic shift, we’ll surely feel it in every local market.
Impact on the Workforce
Small enterprises are the kingdom’s backbone, employing over 16 million people nationwide. How can the government jeopardise that golden avenue for future workers and job seekers?
What the Government Should Do
Wake up, leaders! The call is clear:
- Rework the bulky employment laws that are a wall to start a business.
- Make statutory sick pay feasible for small employers.
- Create a climate where bright, aspiring entrepreneurs feel confident to launch new ventures.
Bottom Line
With more teams announced than ever shrinking, the UK’s job market is moving from boarding to unwinding—in a very literal sense. If the government takes a good look at the data and changes the loops, a powerful future could be rebuilt. Otherwise, it’ll just keep crunching zeroes… and that’s a budget we all want to avoid.
