A new Five Point Plan has been announced by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), in a bid to create and retain jobs in a difficult economic climate.

Investment in training and apprenticeships, simplifying legislation and promoting part-time working are just some of the areas that have been highlighted as important by the FSB.

FSB national chairman, John Wright, explained that the Five Point Plan was “vital to creating and retaining jobs in the small business sector”.

He described 2009 as a “challenging year” in which unemployment will increase.

Mr Wright went on to say that the FSB is “calling for the government to help small businesses to continue to invest in recruitment and training so they can grow stronger and more competitive”.

The FSB is the UK’s largest campaigning pressure group, which aims to promote and protect the interests of the self-employed and those who own small firms.

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