The Micro Business Alliance – UK’s smallest firms unite  

  The UK’s smallest businesses, startups, and sole traders have come together to form a new alliance, giving greater recognition to their needs.

The Micro Business Alliance is formed of over 100 UK organisations who together support the group’s mission to put micro businesses at the forefront of Government planning and decision-making.  

The bedrock of our communities  

Micro businesses consist of any type of firm that employs 0-9 employees, including startups, freelancers, sole traders, and side hustlers.  

It’s thought that micro businesses currently represent 95% of all businesses in the UK, with 5.2 million of them contributing a fifth of the nation’s GDP.

Tony Robinson, one of the key driving forces behind the initiative, commented:

“Micro and small businesses form the bedrock of our communities and our local business ecosystems. They provide employment in both the booming and difficult-to-reach areas, and in many cases give the opportunity for people who do not have the ability to, or choose not to, enter mainstream employment the opportunity to create their own ventures and means of independent living.” 

Giving a voice to the smallest businesses  

During the turbulence of the last few years, the UK’s micro businesses have, in the words of the Alliance, been “left to fend for themselves”, with little representation and recognition, something its members are keen to change.

Ian Cass, the Micro Business Alliance chairman, and chief executive of the Forum of Private Business (FPB), said:

“The pandemic support for businesses highlighted that those at the micro end of small businesses missed out on the help that some other businesses received, not through any intention by the government, but simply because there was a lack of understanding of micro businesses and no organisation that could represent their collective needs. We are now correcting that.”

The Alliance hope to put an end to discrimination based on size, turnover, and length of establishment, and say its aim is to work constructively with the Government and its opposition parties on policymaking. They want to promote the survival of micro businesses and support their growth and contribution to our local communities and nation as a whole.

Tony Robinson added:

“Until now, business groups have lobbied on behalf of established and big businesses. Through an army of committed organisations up and down the country now uniting to inform the government on key micro and small business issues, we can ensure all levels of business have a voice and influence.”

Statistics indicate that micro businesses benefit their communities in a number of ways, creating more social value and money spent in the local area – making them a vital component of our economy.

Joining the Micro Business Alliance  

If you’d like to help amplify the voices of the UK’s smallest businesses by becoming a member of the Micro Business Alliance, then you can do so by submitting an application online via the website. 

Membership is free and open to any organisation that supports and actively engages with 100 micro businesses or more.

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