FSB Northern Ireland

⚡️🚨Almost two thirds of businesses were unaware of NI Employment Rights Bill consultation New findings from @FSB_NI reveal a major failure in business engagement around the Employment Rights Bill consultation in NI - @alandlowry Read more👇 fsb.org.uk/media-centre/p…

The main consultation on some elements of what will be in the Bill were over the summer 2025. Very few knew. The ‘horse has bolted’ since then and as more firms become aware they’re at best deeply concerned, some angry about some elements.

*correction, Summer 2024. For manufacturers, they're firmly part of their community so the vast majority of things coming in the Bill they already do voluntarily. But they don't consent to elements which have the potential (given experience) to disrupt settled workplaces.

We can’t allow poorly designed laws to be pushed through to suit certain groups whilst blatantly discriminating against small businesses @FSB_NI @FSBNIRegion

Small businesses thrive on event-based tourism, as the past decade and a half have shown. From the MTV Awards to the Tall Ships, the Giro d’Italia to the Open Golf Championship (twice), when Northern Ireland puts on an event, people flock to see it. So, to have their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla, hosted by FSB member, Peter Lavery, at Titanic Distillers to launch Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music was a real privilege. His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for The Co Borough of Belfast, Fionnuala J O’Boyle DBE DStJ, is to be hugely commended for her role in helping launch such a prestigious opportunity for Northern Ireland as Belfast, the only UNESCO City of Music on the island of Ireland, prepares to welcome the world again.

"What this bill means is £11 billion back into the UK economy and keeping our small businesses open, thriving and going for growth." Watch what @fsb_policy's Policy Chair, @tinamckenz had to say about our landmark Small Business Protections Bill👇

⏰ Today marks a big step forward in our campaign to stamp out poor payment practices by big businesses towards their smaller suppliers, with the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill clearing its first Parliamentary hurdle. We know that some big businesses are trying to get the proposals watered down, which is why FSB is working to engage with MPs and Peers to deliver the toughest late payments legislation of any G7 country 👇 linkedin.com/pulse/governme…

Great to meet His Majesty The King during today’s visit to Belfast at Titanic Pump House. Thank you to @TitanicDistill2 for hosting the event celebrating Belfast ahead of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 - bringing together business, culture & community.

👋 Heading to #BalmoralShow2026? Make sure to call in and see the FSB NI team in our marquee at E15, right beside the Spar tent. Pop along for a chat and find out how FSB supports small businesses across Northern Ireland. We’d love to see you! 🚜🌼 #FSBNI #SmallBusinessNI

Thanks to First Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA for calling in to meet the @FSB_NI team and colleagues at the #BalmoralShow.

Thanks to Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly MLA for calling to meet the @FSB_NI team and colleagues, alongside RUAS President David Cunningham, at the #BalmoralShow.

Pleased to visit @fsb_ni at Balmoral show today. Always good to chat about the opportunities for our economy and the resilience of our small businesses.

Day 3 at the #BalmoralShow! We’re on Stand E15 which is conveniently situated near the junction of Park Central East and Balmoral Avenue, immediately adjacent to the SPAR stand. Good to see people in already including David Cunningham, President of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society

We were delighted to host Westminster’s Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, chaired by @ToniaAntoniazzi MP, at the @FSB_NI Marquee during the #BalmoralShow. It was a fantastic opportunity for Committee members to meet some of Northern Ireland’s most innovative business owners and hear directly from representatives across the tech, manufacturing and skills sectors about the opportunities, challenges and ambitions driving our economy forward. Strong engagement between policymakers and SMEs is essential to shaping the right environment for growth, investment and innovation. Proud to showcase the talent, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit that exists across Northern Ireland’s business community. @ClaireHanna @GRobinsonDUP @RobinSwann_MP @katrinamurray71 @Simon4NDorset @MikeKaneMP @ChrisBloore

Hosted the NI affairs committee today at the @FSB_NI pavilion at Balmoral Show with MP’s. Supporting small businesses in NI and unlocking dual market access @ClaireHanna @RobinSwann_MP @GRobinsonDUP @WorldofESF @biztradegovuk @fsb_policy

A good start to the day when @Keir_Starmer confirmed personally that he had responded to @fsb_policy calls for late payments protections making the Kings Speech. Good to also finish the afternoon with @peterkyle discussing the other small biz measures announced. In between a great time #Balmoralshow meeting businesses from across NI.

I attended the UK Business Growth Forum today in London. We discussed EU barriers to trade, energy costs, burden of regulation and economic shocks from global events. Some good news in that business sentiment is up on the latest surveys. @biztradegovuk

Delighted to host @Matthew_Patrick today from @NIOgov on our @FSB_NI pavilion at Balmoral Show @biztradegovuk #exportchampion #soldtotheworld @WorldofESF @fsb_policy

The Balmoral Show is one of the best reminders of the talent, businesses and industries we already have here, from agri-food & farming to advanced manufacturing, retail and local entrepreneurship. Good discussions today with local businesses and the @FSB_NI on the Good Jobs Bill. If we’re serious about growing the economy and improving productivity, we need business and workers pulling together. At the end of the day, we need an economy where both people and businesses can earn more and get ahead. #Goodjobs #economy #balmoralshow

Good Morning from the #BalmoralShow 🌦️😎☔️ We are on Stand E15 - conveniently situated near the junction of Park Central East and Balmoral Avenue, immediately adjacent to the SPAR stand. Come and speak to us alongside colleagues including @StafflineIre and @_dicksoninsure