ISME plea to tackle high costs

SMALL firms lobby group, ISME has called for the establishment of a new SME Competition Council to tackle business costs in the wake of the latest inflation figures.

Latest figures from the CSO yesterday showed that the inflation rate remained in positive territory for the fourth straight month in November, boosted by an annualised rise in utility costs.

ISME boss, Mark Fielding, said that a focused body — incorporating business representatives — is needed to identify key business costs and report recommendations to Government.