20 April 2015
Howard Allen, the general election candidate for Solihull constituency, said:
“Support for the local economy and small businesses is at the centre of our general election campaign in Solihull.”
“Our Green MP, Caroline Lucas, has been an official Parliamentary champion of the Federation of Small Businesses.”
“Here in Solihull, I want to make it easier for small businesses to both employ more people and pay the Living Wage. The Green Party will use revenue from a wealth tax to reduce National Insurance for all employers to 8%.”
“Business rates are unfair on small businesses in Solihull. We want to see business rates replaced with a land value tax. A land value tax would prevent big supermarket chains pushing small firms off the high street. Here in Solihull, Asda has sat on the development site at PowerGen in Shirley for 20 years. If we had a land value tax, Asda would have to pay tax on that site. Instead they have been exempt from more than £3m in business rates, at a time high street businesses are having a hard time.”
“I want local authorities like Solihull to favour local procurement to help our local economy.”
“We need to pass legislation ensuring small and growing businesses get paid on time. Big business has to be responsible in its dealings with small business suppliers.”
“And we would improve access to finance for Solihull small businesses, something that hasn’t returned after the credit crunch, with a new network of community banks.”
