Croydon's biggest exhibition and networking event for small businesses returns this week amid fears over the effect Government cuts will have on the sector.

Inspirational business speakers will be sharing their knowledge with entrepreneurs, successful companies and would-be traders at the second annual We Mean Business event at Fairfield Halls on October 7.

Event organiser, the Federation of Small Businesses(FSB), is lobbying the Conservative Government to support its members in the face of looming spending cuts to attack the country's budget deficit.

The group believes public money could be better used by scrapping costly business support structures and access to finance systems, with the emphasis instead on persuading banks to lend to small and medium-sized firms.

It has also called for an extension to the existing National Insurance Contributions holiday scheme, incentives for companies with up to four members of staff who take on another three, and raising the VAT threshold to £90,000.

A survey of the body's members revealed almost three quarters were in favour of the Government cutting spending to tackle the deficit, while six in 10 said they were more willing to accept cuts because of the size of the problem.

John Walker, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said: "The Government has said it wants the recovery to be enterprise led, and while small businesses have said they want to see the Government tackle the public deficit, business and economic growth must be a priority.

"We have heard time and time again that small businesses are the drivers of the UK economy and the job creators of the country. And the 4.8 million small firms truly are - employing more than half of the private sector workforce.

"We all know we are living in an age of austerity which will affect us all and that tough decisions must be made in the Comprehensive Spending Review, but we will be telling the Conservative Party conference that small firms need the right measures in place so they can fulfil their role as innovators and job creators.

"Small businesses are the sector to aid recovery and must step up – but so must the Government."

The FSB's free all day exhibition aims to bring together small to medium business, consumers and key business leaders from organisations within the borough as the country attempts to shrug off the effects of the recession.

Events on the day will include a speed networking breakfast, seminars, workshops and talks from leading lights in using social media and the internet to boost business.

More information about the event can be found at wmb2010.co.uk, or by calling 01403 734257.