What position has small business in this new-fangled "Big Society"? The big society is set to change the nature of the British landscape, for better or worse depending upon who you listen to. There will be change that is for certain. But what will be the effect upon small businesses. As it currently stands the small business community is already under pressure from the rather slow progress in the recovery, but this voluntary move might be just as bad.
In the big society, where most of the tasks are to be taken up by the voluntary sector by good-minded citizens, this all sounds absolutely fantastic, except that it overlooks the fact that many small businesses survive on public sector contracts, and that when they fulfill this role they also provide much needed local employment. Nor does cover the fact that answer the fact that only those able to volunteer will give their time.
When it comes to the overheads caused by companies in providing these services: wages, health and safety checks, company private health insurance, guarantees, it all goes to show that this may,in fact, impede the progress of small companies when this important part of the economy is in most need of a boost.
Yes, the "Big Society" may sound great on paper, but real life isn't drawn up on bits of paper.
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