Survey to create manifesto for small business

UKTECH members are invited to take part in a comprehensive independent survey to find out the needs of small business ahead of the next General Election.

The Genesis Initiative, an umbrella group for small business organisations, has commissioned pollsters YouGov to bring together the broad consensus of opinion of small businesses.

Small business manifesto

The objective of the exercise is to establish a Small Business Manifesto, which will represent the widest consensus of general business requirements from the next Government.

Genesis, whose Patron is HRH Prince Michael of Kent, was formed in 1997 to promote enterprise and encourage the UK's four million SMEs (small and medium enterprises) to create a consensus amongst the sector on key issues, which affect business growth both in the UK and across the world.

UKTECH is represented on the Genesis Board and Senate and regularly attends its meetings. Genesis is asking all its members and other small business groups to ask their members to participate in the survey.

YouGov and Genesis will present the findings of the Genesis survey in the Houses of Parliament in March 2005. The detail of the information submitted by individuals will be in confidence and not available to third parties.

Ideal opportunity

Lord Randall, chairman of Genesis, said: "This survey creates an ideal opportunity for small business to air its views. It is important that small business representatives tell Government what they need to sustain economic growth and prosperity. Genesis is seeking to promote economic reform and there is no better way other than by listening to what the owners of small business have to say."

You can participate in formulating the Manifesto for Small Business, by completing an online questionnaire here: