UK should offer work visas to foreign students after graduation
I've seen so many talented students come through my coffee shops, working part time while they study, and it's a shame when they have to leave the country as soon as they graduate. They've already built a life here, made friends, and learned the culture, it doesn't make sense to send them back home when they could be contributing to our economy.
I'd like to see a policy that allows foreign students to stay and work in the UK for at least a couple of years after they finish their studies, as long as they've got a job offer in their field of study. This would not only benefit the students themselves, but also the businesses that need skilled workers, like mine - I've struggled to find baristas with the right skills, and I know other business owners who are desperate for talented young people to fill their vacancies.
This could be paid for by a small increase in tuition fees for foreign students, or by the additional tax revenue generated when graduates stay, work, rent, spend, and build their careers here. It should be treated as an investment, not a handout.
We should set clear conditions: graduates must be in work, seeking work, or building a business, and the route should not become a loophole for exploitation by poor-quality providers. But when talented people have studied here, speak the language, and already understand the country, sending them away is self-defeating.
Britain should compete for talent, not train it for other economies. Let them stay, let them contribute, and let the country benefit from the education it helped provide.
Boost local businesses with simplified business rates relief
This whole waste tipping thing is a symptom of bigger issues. Councils are stretched thin, and small businesses like mine are drowning in unrealistic business rates that don't reflect actual footfall or profit. It's a joke.
We need a tiered business rates system based on actual performance and local economic conditions, not some one-size-fits-all government spreadsheet. Give businesses a break when times are tough.
The money saved could be reinvested locally, creating jobs and actually helping the economy rather than just being a drain. It's about making things work for people on the ground.
Honestly, just simplifying the current system would be a start. It’s a nightmare to navigate.
Small Business Owners Back The NHS
As someone who runs three coffee shops in Birmingham, I see the impact of the NHS on our community every day. My staff and customers are all affected by the quality of our healthcare system, and I believe we need to think creatively about how to fund it. I agree that we need to rethink our spending priorities, but I'm not convinced that an NHS infrastructure bond is the right approach.
I've seen firsthand how difficult it can be for small businesses to access funding, and I worry that introducing a new bond would just add another layer of complexity to the system. Instead, I think we should be looking at ways to reduce the administrative burden on the NHS and free up more resources for frontline services. This could include streamlining procurement processes, reducing bureaucracy, and making it easier for small businesses to provide services to the NHS.
Scrap Business Rates for Small Shops and Cafes - It's Killing Our High Streets!
We need to get rid of business rates for independent shops and cafes entirely. This is crippling small businesses, especially in my industry. I've seen so many good places close down because the rates are just unsustainable, even when they’re doing okay.
The current system is archaic and doesn't reflect the reality of running a small business today. We pay rates on our turnover, not our profits, and that’s madness. With rising rents and energy costs, these rates are the final nail in the coffin for many. My own three coffee shops in Birmingham feel this squeeze every single month.
Instead of business rates, we should shift the burden to a property value tax collected by local councils, but only on larger commercial properties or those left vacant.
Enough with the endless plastic rubbish! My bins are overflowing.
Honestly, it drives me mad seeing the amount of single-use plastic that comes through my shops. We try to use compostable cups and offer discounts for reusable ones, but so much of it just ends up in the bin anyway. It’s not just an eyesore, it’s a massive waste of resources that could be used better.
We need to get serious about incentivising reusable packaging across the board. Think deposits on takeaway containers and coffee cups, not just bottles. Make it easy for businesses to participate too, with clear guidelines and support for sourcing alternatives. The current system just feels broken, with all the responsibility landing on consumers and small businesses like mine to sort out a problem created by big manufacturers.
And while we’re at it, can we actually improve recycling infrastructure?
Stop Wasting Money on Bureaucracy
I'm so fed up with the constant back and forth over defence spending, it's like they're more concerned with saving face than actually keeping our country safe. As a small business owner, I know how to balance a budget and make tough decisions, but it seems like our politicians are more interested in playing games than getting the job done.
I'd change the way we approach defence spending by focusing on what actually works, not just what looks good on paper. We need to be investing in the things that will actually keep our country safe, like cybersecurity and counter-terrorism, not just throwing money at big flashy projects that are years behind schedule and millions over budget. And we need to be honest with ourselves about what we can afford, not just making promises we can't keep.
Enough already with these insane energy bills for small businesses!
It's ridiculous. Every quarter I'm bracing myself for the new energy bill and it feels like a gamble with my businesses. We've absorbed so much cost over the last few years, from ingredients to wages, and the energy price hikes have been a massive punch to the gut. It’s not just the amount, it’s the volatility. I can’t budget properly when prices can swing so wildly, and that makes planning for expansion or even just hiring new staff a nightmare.
What we need is a proper system to shield small businesses from these extreme price shocks. Not a handout, but a predictable pricing mechanism. Maybe a capped rate for businesses under a certain size, tied to wholesale prices but with a sensible maximum. We’re the ones employing people locally and keeping our high streets alive, but we’re treated like we can just absorb endless increases.
What do you think?
Vote on individual policies, adapt them, or write your own alternative. Good ideas should be tested.