This evening I was delighted to attend and speak at a meeting of IndiVision, one of Lancaster’s biggest and most pivotal group of the local independent business community as part of the Totally Local Lancaster Group.

It was fantastic to hear from local entrepreneurs about the positive things happening locally, along with the challenges faced across the sector, and to get first hand experiences of how local businesses are doing whilst to endeavouring to find short, medium and long-term solutions.

Small businesses are the beating heart of our economy, and along with my Lancashire Loves Local business campaign, it’s now time to turn our hands to action to restore our high streets.

  • Labour has raised the limit at which small businesses start paying employer national insurance from £5,000 to £10,500, meaning 865,000 employers will pay nothing in national insurance contributions next year.
  • Labour is reforming business rates – so that 250,000 small businesses get up to 40% off their rates.
  • The Labour Government is tackling retail crime with new funding for prevention and police training, as well as ending the Tory policy that meant stolen goods worth under £200 weren’t investigated.
  • Labour is taking action to stamp out the late payments that harm small businesses – and freezing fuel duty to bring down costs.
  • Labour’s Budget also confirmed £1 billion for the British Business Bank to enhance access to finance for smaller businesses through Start Up Loans, the ENABLE Build, the Growth Guarantee Scheme and the Life Sciences Investment Programme.
  • Labour is introducing a new Business Growth Service, making it easier and quicker for SMEs to find government advice and support all under one roof , streamlining the government’s offer to small firms, saving them time and money.
Link to Instagram Link to Twitter Link to YouTube Link to Facebook Link to LinkedIn Link to Snapchat Close Fax Website Location Phone Email Calendar Building Search