R3 the trade body that represents the insolvency profession are warning that as many as 148,000 small businesses would seriously struggle and possibly fail if they lost their public sector income.

It’s good to know I am not alone in calling for joined up thinking from the Coalition government.  R3 has carried out a survey which reveals that 1 in 3 small businesses considered themselves reliant on work from the public sector. It’s not just the threat of cutbacks which is effecting business confidence at the moment, it’s also the fast and furious reviews being undertaken by the current government which has seriously effected many businesses ability to plan for the next 12 – 18 months.

Even in the relatively well-off professions many of my colleagues are pulling what’s left of their hair out – divorce settlements on hold whilst the coalition decide how to value pensions, the claims industry who have undergone significant change over the past 5 years have been threatened with legislation changes which will prevent their ability to market their services.

Cancelling the schools contracts which apart from giving our children and our communities the message that the government is not investing in their futures, also means we are missing an opportunity to give the construction industry a vital kick start.