Today I spent time meeting with various Northallerton businesses like Allerton Steel and Barkers department store. Supporting small companies and maintaining thriving market towns are priorities for me.
I grew up in a small business family and have spent my entire career in business. I know how vital it is that we back local companies so they can grow, employ more people, and ensure our market towns stay vibrant.
In meetings with executives from various local companies, I discussed how tackling regulation and high taxes were important in supporting small business. With local retailers we talked about the various factors affecting the vibrancy of our local high streets: the availability of easy and affordable parking, business rates, and the threat from out of town shopping centres.
Northallerton has businesses we can be very proud of. Skilled workers at Allerton Steel make complex products that go into structures like the Olympic Stadium and they are beginning to export their products around the world. Barkers is an iconic local institution that employs 200 people and attracts people from all over the county. Other iconic local stores include Sam Turners, Lewis & Cooper, Grovers (where my kids have inevitably discovered the toys), and Maxwells.
Since the Conservative-led Government came to power over 400,000 new businesses have been created. This government has cut red tape, cut corporation tax, and cut the jobs tax on companies hiring new employees. The government also just recently created a British Business Bank dedicated to providing finance to small businesses.
Labour’s recession made it hard for our small companies to access funding from the big banks. Now the new Business Bank will unlock £10 billion to help our businesses grow.