AN URGENT need for faster broadband was one of the key issues raised with MPs by representatives of small businesses.

Members of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) from Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight met with their members of parliament to discuss a host of their concerns.

The need for better infrastructure and broadband were key issues under discussion. FSB representatives said broadband was not only a rural concern and that a quarter of all businesses still have less than a 5MB per second download speed.

The closure of bank branches was also highlighted as a concern. With more closures expected in 2017, greater engagement between businesses, banks and government was vital, the FSB representatives argued.

Another worry was the requirement for quarterly account reporting. Businesses argued that the measure would increase costs and over-stretch resources.

Brexit was also touched upon, with the FSB currently consulting its 170,000 members nationwide and 9,500 in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight over the issue. The FSB will present their views to government but says businesses are proving resilient and will make the most of all available opportunities.

Neil Eames, development manager for FSB in Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “It was encouraging to see a number of our local MPs very keen to engage and listen to the concerns of many small businesses.

“There are clearly many challenges but we look forward to working together to secure a stable and nurturing environment for businesses to grow and to succeed.”

The FSB representatives met South Dorset MP Richard Drax, along with Mims Davies (Eastleigh), Alan Mak (Havant), Royston Smith (Southampton Itchen), Alan Whitehead (Southampton Test) and representatives from the offices of Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) and Flick Drummond (Portsmouth South).

An Ofcom report, Connected Nations, found a year ago that only 68 per cent of small and medium sized enterprises had access to superfast broadband, leaving 400,000 without. Fifteen per cent found lack of a good communications service had hampered their growth.

Bournemouth was picked last year as the focus of a digital mapping tool, which will be used to prepare for the rollout of 5G mobile technology.

The UK is 19th in the world for broadband speeds, with average connection speeds of 14.9MB per second.