The Federation of Small Businesses is calling for the Chancellor to share the tax proceeds of higher than predicted North Sea oil prices with hard-pressed, consumers, motorists and small business owners.

The UK’s biggest business organisation has been working with accountants Grant Thornton to calculate the extra tax revenue the Government has received because of increases in oil prices over and above predictions made in the 2008 Budget.

The FSB is calling for the planned 2p per litre fuel duty increase to be scrapped and an automatic adjustor mechanism, whereby extra tax revenues from higher than predicted oil prices would automatically trigger corresponding reductions in fuel duty. The Treasury’s 2008 Budget forecast assumed an oil price of $84 per barrel (pb).

According to Maurice Fitzpatrick, a tax expert at Grant Thornton:

For every $4pb by which oil exceeds the predicted price the Treasury receives an extra £1.5 million per day;

Deferring the planned 2p per litre fuel increase for six months would cost £550 million, but in just 50 days since the Budget on March 12 2008 the oil price averaged $108pb, giving the Treasury £450 million more in revenue than it forecast;

The oil price is widely predicted to remain over $100pb, giving the Chancellor plenty of extra money to pass on to motorists.

John Wright, FSB National Chairman, said:

“High fuel prices are crippling small business owners in every sector and in every area of the country. Those small businesses produce over half of UK GDP and employ over 13 million people. Apart from the immediate extra costs to motorists of filling up at the pumps, spiralling petrol prices also have a knock-on effect on everybody in terms of more expensive food and consumer goods.

“The Government can do something about the situation. A mechanism which automatically uses extra oil tax revenue to reduce fuel taxes would be an efficient, effective and fair way of delivering some relief to motorists of all kinds.

“Spiralling fuel prices are having a major impact on the whole of the UK economy, of which small businesses are a significant part. The money is there to help them. The question is whether the Government will act.”

From 1 May until 31 July 2008, the supply2.gov website will allow new registrants to gain free access to public sector contracts valued under £100,000 for the UK and Northern Ireland.

The free trial is part of the Department for Business' Enterprise Strategy which was released in March, which outlined new measures to increase the amount of government business that is won by small firms.

More than 3,000 new contracts are available on Supply2gov each month. The three month free trial, available to businesses registering for the first time, will provide access to contracts throughout the UK rather than in a nominated local area.

For further information please see - www.supply2.gov.uk

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging employers to file their PAYE end-of-year returns by the 19th May deadline, or they could face a penalty.

Employers with fewer than 50 employees - who can file either on paper or online - are being encouraged to file their returns electronically. Not only is it quicker and easier, but they will get £100 tax-free for doing so.

If you're an employer and you want to start filing online, you must first register with HMRC's online PAYE service. It can take a week to get the activation PIN after you've registered, so it's important to register as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can ask an agent or payroll bureau to file your return.

If you need help or advice, visit the HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/payeonline, or call the HMRC Employer Helpline on 08457 143 143.