SMALL business lobby group, the Forum of Private Business (FPB), has called for a “two- pronged” approach to boost economic growth in the UK.

Commenting after UK GDP grew by just 0.5% between January and March, the FPB says Britain needs to see two main measures in order to foster a meaningful economic recovery – swift business- friendly policies from the Government, and an increase in business and consumer confidence.

FPB chief executive Phil Orford said: “An increase of 0.5% is as good as we might have hoped for.

“However, it doesn’t indicate any great surge of economic activity.

“If we want to see some real growth next quarter, we need some radical and immediate measures from the Government which will tangibly improve conditions for smaller businesses on the ground.

“If smaller companies are to foster a genuine and meaningful recovery, they need to be freed from costly and time- consuming red tape, benefit from a simpler and more sympathetic tax system, and see the soaring costs of essentials like fuel and utilities tackled.”