ICAEW has joined forces with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Enterprise Nation to provide an opportunity to hear first-hand from parliamentary candidates on their party’s plans for small businesses.

On the evening of 17 June, the audience at Chartered Accountants’ Hall, and those joining online, will be able to pose questions to:

• Kevin Hollinrake, Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade, the Conservative Party
• Jonathan Reynolds, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the Labour Party
• Sarah Olney, Treasury and Business and Industrial Strategy spokesperson, the Liberal Democrats

The free event will open at 18:00, with the hour-long debate starting 30 minutes later. Places at the live event are limited, however, you can also register to attend the event virtually.

Encouraging ICAEW members to attend the event, Iain Wright, ICAEW Managing Director, Reputation and Influence said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and this event – with its focus on enterprise and growth – will give a good indicator of how the small business community is feeling about their current and future prospects and the priorities they want MPs to have in the next Parliament.

“Our members run or advise small businesses, from the first spark of an idea, nurturing growth and supporting professionalisation to gain investment and scale, but frequently tell us that starting to trade is not as easy as it should be, and that vital finance doesn’t always flow where needed.”

ICAEW outlined the measures it believes the next government should take to ensure the UK is the best place to start, run and grow a business, in its Manifesto 2024.

Drawing on members’ insights and experiences, recommendations include: a more competitive tax system, greater investment in skills and investment and more proportionate and better targeted regulation.