Sponsored column: PSP outlines what small firms need from government
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Len Collinson leader of business group, Private Sector Partners, discusses the needs of businesses in a General Election year and the forthcoming Small Firms’ Summit in Burnley on February 18. The political parties have wasted no time hurling themselves at us since the New Year. Like the aged aunt, with puckered lips and arms outstretched, the sight of an affection seeking politician is not always an attractive proposition. The truth is we have already been in a phoney general election beauty parade ever since Gordon Brown took office. He backtracked on an early election in 2007 and the heat has been on ever since. We have seen the Tory leader, David Cameron, position his party as a friend of business. Announcing the Party’s “Entrepreneurs Everywhere” drive, Mr Cameron said that there were too many barriers to the creation of businesses. Under his government, council flat tenants would be among those encouraged to become entrepreneurs with plans to sweep away restrictions which stop them starting a business from their home. Other plans for boosting entrepreneurship include an increase in the bankruptcy threshold to stop firms going out of business over small amounts, and cutting red tape to make it easier to start up a new company. This is hardly earth shattering stuff. Nevertheless, at least the major parties are showing signs of recognising the vital importance of businesses at a General Election. For this reason, Private Sector Partners (PSP) which speaks for 140,000 North West firms is hosting its inaugural Small Firms’ Summit on February 18 at UCLan’s campus in Burnley. It is PSP’s passionate belief that encouraging businesses should be at the heart of the General Election. Make no mistake, recovering from this enervating recession is the most significant economic challenge Britain has faced since 1945. The business and economic climate remains treacherous. 130,000 firms are at risk of insolvency and public borrowing is set to hit a record high of £175bn. The country’s triple A credit rating is at risk because of that public debt which means that countries may stop buying the bonds which fund our debt mountain. At the Summit, we will be looking at these issues and hearing from experts, but a fundamental part of the day is hearing business owners’ views. We will be holding discussions, the results of which will be fed directly to the Government and its agencies, including the NWDA and Business Link. The cause of small firms’ matters enormously to the North West and the UK. They are the backbone of the economy, driving wealth and job creation. Without a fit and firing sector the country will fail to recover from the recession with any speed. Business underpins our ability as families, as communities and as a nation to function. It is that crucial. Without thriving businesses, everything else suffers – not so much a domino effect as a motorway pile up: job and wealth creation; skills training for young people; raising of tax; and therefore effective public services, donations to charities , media advertising and so on. We have no choice, the political parties must promote existing firms and new entrepreneurs. If you’re a senior company director or business owner why not come along to PSP’s Summit and give your view? You are guaranteed a good hearing. The fee is only £25.00. To register for a place or to obtain more information, contact Emma Ryde on 0161 794 9538 or email eryde@colgranhouse.com .
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