Small business lobby the Forum of Private Business (FPB) says there is a “crisis of trust in big businesses” and the next government should force a commitment to ethical practices.

The group made the comments as it released a poll of 2,000 people showing 78% think corporates prioritise profits over ethics.

A further 74% agreed that on the whole big businesses have no concern for small businesses, including suppliers, partners and client firms.

Meanwhile more than three-quarters said government should penalise companies that mistreat small businesses, while 72% said it should promote ethical standards.

The news comes just a few months ahead of the May general election and as questions over big business practices have come sharply into focus.

FPB boss Phil Orford said: “There must be a balance between the need to attract the world’s biggest companies to Britain, ensuring we have the best environment for business, and protecting the interests of the UK’s hardworking independent small businesspeople.

“It is time for Britain’s honest workers who play by the rules to have their say and it’s time for their interests to be heard.

“The UK’s political parties should be judged at the election on their commitment to put business ethics at the top of the political agenda. Failure to do so could break small businesses, the backbone of the British economy.”

The FPB has published a Business Ethics Pledge and asked corporates to agree to the following five guarantees:

1. Promote responsible business in the UK

2. Treat our suppliers as we wish to be treated

3. Build long-term relationships with local enterprises

4. Challenge industry to operate openly & ethically

5. Partner with SMEs to create jobs & boost local economies