The Forum of Private Business has criticised Gordon Brown for failing to include representatives from the small business community on his first meeting of his new ‘business council’.

The meeting, which took place on 24th October, consisted of high-profile entrepreneurs including Sir Alan Sugar, Sir Richard Branson and Sir Terry Leahy but small business owners have to make do with the Small Business Forum, which has much less influence or access to the country’s key decision-makers.

“The argument that celebrities such as Sir Alan Sugar and Sir Richard Branson are still in touch with the interests of small business owners will not satisfy those who are struggling to build up their businesses now,” said the FPB’s campaigns manager Matt Hardman.

“They clearly feel that their needs and opinions are being ignored by the government in favour of those of big business.”

The first meeting ignored the recent controversy over the increases in the rate of capital gains tax and focused on broader issues such as climate change and globalisation.

“If we had a voice then at least our opinions on issues such as capital gains tax would be heard,” said small business owner Graham Bower-Wood, who runs a theatre and exhibition construction in Guildford.