ACS

ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman, yesterday attended the Conservative Party leadership’s Small Business Survival Summit at the House of Commons. At the meeting, ACS and other small business representatives discussed a range of proposals with Conservative leader David Cameron, Shadow Chancellor George Osborne and Shadow Business Secretary Alan Duncan.

Mr Lowman said: “We welcome the measures that the Conservative Party has proposed, including taking 1p off employer contributions to National Insurance for the smallest businesses. Now we have to look at the other issues that require political focus to support local shops and small businesses in the UK.

“In particular, the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is a constant and growing pressure on small shops. Two weeks ago the NMW increased by 3.6%, well above recent public sector pay rises. The Low Pay Commission’s current consultation must be sensitive to the needs of small stores.

“The area of crime and specifically Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) also needs urgent attention and revision. The numbers of FPNs being issued are increasing yet shop theft has risen by 70% in the last year, so it’s clear that FPNs are not working.”

The summit was organised by the Conservative Minister for Small Businesses, Mark Prisk.

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Michael Saxton/ Julie Kirby Grappa PR
020 7602 9222

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.

2. There were 22,000 Fixed Penalty Notices issued in 2005 compared with 38,772 in 2006.