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An overwhelming 96 per cent of small business owners are unhappy with the government's record as costs spiral, according to a poll.

In a survey of over 9,000 business owners by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), nearly 90 per cent also said government policy was making already crippling business costs, such as fuel, even worse.

In answer to the question, "Are you satisfied that the government is currently taking the right decisions in the interests of small businesses?", 96 per cent said they were fairly dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, 2.1 per cent said they were fairly satisfied or very satisfied and 1.9 per cent had no opinion.

John Wright, FSB national chairman, said: "With the end of a period of relative stability, small business confidence in the government has plummeted in the last couple of years.

"Employment, tax and fuel policies have left many small firms feeling that their concerns are not being taken seriously enough.

"All we see is government consulting big business, with small businesses being left out of the loop. But small businesses produce over half of UK GDP and it is important that their needs are addressed if we are to get through the current economic difficulties."

The UK's 4.5 million small businesses contribute over half the country's GDP, according to the FSB. The industry body is calling for the government to use higher than expected North Sea oil tax revenues to reduce fuel duty, in order to help its members.