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SMALL BUSINESSES NEED OUR HELP - WILLIAMS
December 4, 2008 12:37 PM
Ahead of next week's deadline for submissions to the Business and Enterprise Committee's inquiry on financial assistance for SMEs, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Roger Williams MP has today criticised the Government for the lack of help for small businesses.
Roger Williams and Ceredigion MP Mark Williams will submit evidence to the inquiry, detailing concerns over several areas, including:
· Business Rates
· Banks changing terms of lending, and refusing to give further lending
· Energy and fuel bills
· Public Procurement
Roger Williams plans to survey small businesses in his constituency to see what problems they particularly face and what action they would like to see.
The latest insolvency figures show that in the third quarter, there were 4,000 insolvencies in England and Wales, up 10.5 per cent on the previous quarter and 26.3 per cent on the same period of the previous year, and there are fears that these figures could rise further.
Commenting, Roger Williams said:
"I am extremely disappointed that the Government has not offered more help to small businesses in the Pre-Budget Report and the Queen's Speech. While there were some measures announced, such as allowing for the deferral of VAT payments, many I have spoken to feel that not enough has been done.
"Indeed the Government announced a new Bill to allow local authorities to increase business rates by a further 2% to raise money for big projects, but they won't let them reduce rates if they wanted to stimulate the local economy.
"Small businesses are the lifeblood of any community, and that is particularly true in rural areas. If we lose businesses now there is no guarantee they will be replaced in the future."
On his submission to the Business and Enterprise Committee, Mr Williams added:
"Action is needed in several key areas. Firstly the Government have to look at business rates. Many businesses are struggling to pay rates, and the Committee will have to investigate what can be done to reduce this burden without hitting Local Authority budgets.
"The Government need to take action on energy bills which for some businesses are seriously affecting their ability to operate. It is scandalous that the Government did not announce any action on energy bills in the Queen's Speech.
"There needs to be a serious investigation into the transparency of public procurement. Many small businesses feel they are disadvantaged in public sector procurement and we need to make sure that everyone gets an equal chance.
"I have every confidence that the Business and Enterprise Committee will give their backing to serious proposals to help business, but the key question is whether having missed several golden opportunities to provide assistance, the Government are committed to doing the same."
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