Dear Miss Meakin,

Welcome to the latest edition of the FPB’s eNewsletter!

This week, we bring you yet more updates, including changes to business rates, the rising cost of redundancy and a new tax incentive which will have you reaching out for your copy of the FPB's Health & Safety Guide.

Finally, we have negotiated, in conjunction with Chess Telecom, some fantastic savings on business telecoms. See how much you could save!

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Firms with good health and safety records could pay less tax

Under new EU plans, businesses with good health and safety records could pay less tax and win more government contracts. 

MEPs voted recently in favour of a five-year plan to reduce accidents in the workplace by 25% through a range of measures, including financial incentives.

Ensure your business is compliant with the latest health and safety regulations by subscribing to the FPB's Health & Safety Guide.

The Government has decided to reform the way business rates are charged as an incentive to bring empty commercial buildings back into use. From 1 April 2008, the law will change to reduce dramatically the amount of relief given against business rates on empty commercial and industrial buildings.

Did you know that you could place a member offer in two issues of this newsletter for as little as £95*? With more than 15,500 subscribers, your business can reach a massive potential audience for a minimal outlay. To find out more, click here.                                                              *Member rate.

The FPB is backing a campaign to reduce fuel costs, and is urging the Government not to raise diesel duty for the second time in six months. VAT on fuel went up by 2p per litre in October 2007.

The FPB is backing a move to help small retail premises stay open. The Retail Development Bill, which requires local authorities to establish support schemes, was last week introduced in the House of Lords by the Liberal Democrats' Lord Cotter.

Post office closures across England and Wales could have a devastating impact on many small firms, the FPB is warning. Businesses, including those in rural areas that rely on the network, have been discovering which branches are to go in order to address financial losses.