Misleading FSB Membership Figure Claim

In a 'Notes to Editors' on the FSB website (dated 21 Sep 01) FSB press officers, Stephen Alambritis and David Bishop declared;

• "The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is the UK's largest organisation for small firms with 168,000 members."

FSB Directors Know The True Membership

It is known (on good authority) that at a meeting in September 2001, it was reported to FSB directors were 'told' that total FSB membership was 139,000, some 29,000 less than the figure claimed by Stephen Alambritis and David Bishop. What is the correct figure? As a pressman and a past/prospective parliamentary candidate for the Labour Party, it behoves Stephen Alambritis to urge FSB directors to publish the organisation's true small firms membership.

What is the correct figure for FSB small firms membership?

In the FSB annual report to 30 September 1999 FSB Company Secretary and director, David Dexter, and the then FSB 'membership supremo' and director, John Emmins proudly proclaimed FSB membership to be 150,000.

FSB Accounts and Memebrship Figures Show £millions Shortfall!

In the FSB annual report to 30 September 1999 FSB Company Secretary and director, David Dexter, and the then FSB 'membership supremo' and director, John Emmins proudly proclaimed FSB membership to be 150,000.

In 1999 FSB 'finance director', Gordon Catto, proposed and won an increase of membership subscription rates. Annual rates increased to £70 (sole trader) up to £650 for a firm with 101 - 150 employees.

At an estimated average of £100 membership one would expect subscriptions the following year to be around £15 million. Yet the FSB annual accounts to 30 September 2000 showed subscription of just £10.9 million. A substantial difference, even taking into account those subscription which may be paid in advance and so treated as income for a later period.

It is known (on good authority) that FSB directors know FSB 'small firms' membership to be 138,000, some 30,000 less than the figure claimed by Stephen Alambritis and David Bishop. As a pressman and a past/prospective UK parliamentary candidate, it behoves Stephen Alambritis to urge FSB directors to make the position clear by publishing the organisation's correct, small firms membership; (Stephen might otherwise give a bad impression of working journalists and prospective'politicians).

Independent circulation figures from Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) for FSB's members magazine report an average circulation of 129,528 for the year to 30 June 2000. ABC circulation figures for the two previous were: 111,829 (1998/99); and 106,674 (1997/98).

From the above facts there appears to be a significant shortfall of either 'FSB members' or 'FSB funds' and thus misrepresentation of the FSB's position by its directors.

Government Ministers and FSB PArtners being Misled?

All Government ministers and other organisation which act in 'partnership' with the FSB perhaps have a pblic duty to invite the FSB to verify the small business membership which it claims. Known 'associate partners' of the FSB in an 'Equality Rights' internet project, include; Department of Trade and Industry, ACAS, BSS, Disability Rights Commission, DLA & Partners, and the Commission for Racial Equality.

While it is not alleged that those 'associate partners' of the FSB are wholly aware of the details of impropriety in the management of the affairs of the FSB, they are urged to encourage the FSB to 'place its membership cards on top of the table'. The various banks which liaise with the FSB should also seek enlightenment, in the interest of the thousands of small business people who may be being misled by dishonest FSB leadership.