DAVID HEATH CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
3.34.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 23rd Oct 2008
Somerton and Frome MP David Heath today continued his fight to bring the issue of small businesses to the fore and onto the political agenda.
Speaking in the Commons, David called for extra assistance for small businesses as they fight for survival in the current economic crisis.
David told Ministers that people should expect Parliament to be paying as much attention to the needs of smaller businesses as it does to the interests of big city financial institutions. Calling for a debate on the issue, he demanded:
*Better access to the small firms loan guarantee scheme
*Action to stop banks arbitrarily calling in overdraft facilities or cancelling credit lines
*More flexibility from H M Revenue & Customs
*An end to the empty property tax which is having a disastrous effect on the business property market
David Heath said:
"All businesses are feeling the pinch at the moment, but many small companies aren't going to make it through the next few months unless Government is better aware of the difficulties they face. Even some of the measures that have been announced won't have the desired effect unless they are taken further. For instance, the welcome instruction to Government departments to ensure prompt payment of bills won't work unless local government and bigger businesses do the same. Similarly, the increased money going to the small firms guarantee scheme is good news, but the fact is that the current scheme is under-subscribed simply because there's too much red-tape.
Looking after high street businesses ought to be a priority, not an after-thought."
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