The health secretary Andy Burnham must introduce measures to ease the pressure on small businesses as a result of the swine flu pandemic, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

In a letter to Burnham, the FSB urged the Government to introduce measures to help the smallest firms with paying out statutory sick pay and put a stop on routine business inspections during the height of the pandemic.

John Wright, national chairman at the FSB, said: "Swine flu is expected to have a serious impact on the UK, with a more than 5% fall in UK GDP this year alone and up to half of the population infected. Although it is still difficult to estimate the full effect of the spread of the pandemic, we know that small firms - which contribute more than half of UK GDP and employ 60% of the private-sector workforce - will be very badly hit. A small firm employing only three people could expect to have all of its workforce off for up to two weeks this autumn - either due to infection or through absences as a result of school closures and transport problems.
 
"The FSB has been working with the Cabinet Office to prepare advice for small firms on how to plan for this emergency; to ensure they have good communications with staff in place; plans for remote working where possible; and on preparing for a drop in demand."