Federation of Small Businesses in partnership with HR Magazine is to host a Parliamentary seminar and reception, sponsored by the Childcare Voucher Providers Association, at the House of Commons, Thursday 25th February 2010 (14.00 - 17.45)

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), in partnership with HR Magazine, is pleased to invite you to a parliamentary seminar and reception looking at how employers - particularly small and medium sized enterprises - can be freed up to support families in a way that fits with their individual company ethos and capacity.

As we approach the General Election family and employment policy is central to political debate. With the government planning to allow fathers up to six months parental leave from April 2011, and the Conservatives committing to ‘support marriage in the tax system', this event will address the core issues around the need for a flexible approach to supporting families in the workplace.

Chaired by Sian Harrington, Editor of HR Magazine, the seminar will involve presentations from a panel of expert speakers including FSB National Chairman John Wright; Emma Stewart, co-Chair of the DWP Family Friendly Working Taskforce; and Simon Moore, MD of Computershare Voucher Services.  It will also include a case study from Jacqui Roberts, HR Director at Ash Gaming Ltd - a small employer who has successfully implemented family friendly workplace policies.

We are delighted that Theresa May - Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary and also Shadow Minister for Women, will be addressing the reception.  A full programme can be found below.

Given the present economic context, the event will address the challenge of maintaining business support for families throughout the recession and into recovery.  Supporting people to develop skills and re-enter the workforce is a priority for both government and business.  However, small business often struggle to adapt to new employment legislation, with many arguing that increased regulation affects productivity and is unreflective of the needs of smaller organisations.

With this in mind, the event will examine whether a less proscriptive approach would be more effective in allowing small businesses to find their own way to support families, using examples such as childcare vouchers to demonstrate potential areas of mutual benefit.

We do hope you, or an appropriate colleague, are able to join us on 25^th February.  The event is free to attend by invitation only, however we do anticipate a high level of demand. As space is limited, please register your attendance early by emailing gemma@westminsteradvisers.co.uk.  If you have any questions in the meantime, please call on 020 7222 9500.

Seminar: House of Commons, Committee Room 10

14.00:  Registration                       

14.20:  Welcome and introduction from Chair, Sian Harrington - Editor HR Magazine

14.25:   Supporting families makes business sense John Wright - FSB National Chairman

14.40:    Business & families - into recovery together Emma Stewart, Women Like Us, co-Chair DWP Family Friendly Working Taskforce

14.55:  Mainstreaming childcare support into employee benefits Simon Moore, Managing Director - Computershare Voucher Services

15.10:  Case study - Small business & childcare vouchers, Jacqui Roberts, HR Director - Ash Gaming Ltd

15.25:   Panel discussion

15.55:  Chair's concluding remarks, Sian Harrington - Editor HR Magazine

16.00: Seminar ends (attendees move to Reception)

Reception: Strangers' Dining Room

16.30: Chair's introductory remarks, Sian Harrington - Editor HR Magazine

16.40 Keynote Speech - Supporting business to support families, Rt Hon Theresa May MP - Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary & Shadow Minister for Women

17.00:  Informal networking

17.55:  Reception ends