By David Morris MP
Small business Saturday highlights the great number of SME's in Morecambe and Lunesdale. These businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and days like today highlights how we should be supporting our small businesses everyday.
I was a self employed small businessman for nearly 30 years before I was elected as the Member of Parliament for Morecambe and Lunesdale, and I have recently been appointed the self employment ambassador to the Government. It is my role to ensure that the problems self employed people face are represented to the Government.
To coincide with small business Saturday Sajjid Javid MP announced measures to clamp down on late payments to small businesses. Recent figures have shown that last year alone £40 billion was owed to small businesses. This should not be allowed to happen, late payments to small businesses can effect the finances of the whole business. BIS will be surveying small businesses to see how they would like the prompt payment code strengthening, and the Government has already set out legislation to make sure that Government contacts are paid within a 30 day period.
This week has been a brilliant week for small businesses across the Country as the Chancellor announced some policies to reward small businesses for the part in the economic recover and to make sure that they carry on to be successful. The Chancellor has doubled small business rates relief for another year and increased this years £1,000 rates discount for high street shops, pubs and cafés to £1,500.
Perhaps one of the most helpful policies to young people was the Chancellor removing the NI bill for each employee under 21 who is employed as an apprentice. I know myself how valuable an apprenticeship scheme can be to teach a valuable skill and it is it welcome that the Chancellor is removing one of the biggest barriers a small business would have to employ an apprentice.
As part of small business Saturday today I have been speaking to businesses all across Morecambe and Lunesdale and I have heard overwhelming support for the Chancellors announcements. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and we have some fantastic businesses in Morecambe and Lunesdale from Regent Road and Yorkshire Street in the West End to Queen Street in Morecambe, Princes Crescent in Bare, Market Street in Carnforth and beyond and I would encourage everyone to shop local all year round.