The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has set the UK's public figures a number of new year's resolutions in order to help the country's smaller firms.

According to the organisation, prime minister Tony Blair needs to oversee a smooth transition of power to a new premier in order to ensure businesses are not affected in a negative way.

Furthermore, pensions minister John Hutton must make sure that his white paper on retirement income does not bankrupt small to medium-sized enterprises, the FSB states.

Carol Undy, FSB national chairman, remarked: "Small businesses employ over 58 per cent of the private sector workforce. A huge number of public figures have a major impact on these employers and their 12 million employees."

"These businesses produce half of Britain's GDP, representing £1,200 billion per year."