| |
"Some see private enterprise as a predatory target to be shot, others
as a cow to be milked, but few are those who see it as the sturdy horse
pulling the wagon"
Winston Churchill
We must do more
to help businesses succeed and
prosper in London. As a businessman, I understand the challenges of enterprise. I also realise that in many instances the best thing that
Government can do for small businesses is not to interfere.
If elected, I will be a champion for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship
on the London Assembly. We
need to create the best possible conditions for innovation and creativity to
thrive in our city.
Most people know that London is home to many of the biggest businesses
in the UK but the needs of the 150,000 small businesses and nearly
500,000 self employed are often neglected. Together they provide over 1
million jobs.
Cutting business rates
We must encourage small businesses in London, not make life more
difficult for them. We should do all in our power to remove obstacles to
success. In London, we should effectively scrap small business rates by
providing 100% rebates.
Saving small shops
Some of the most visible examples of small businesses under threat
are the capital's small shops. Too often they are victims of unfair competition, bad
planning decisions and parking controls. We must address these issues.
Providing
business accommodation
We need to provide better and cheaper accommodation for businesses
trying to set up and expand. The GLA should make available under
utilised public buildings for enterprise rather leaving them empty.
Easing planning
We must ensure the planning facilitates business rather than frustrates it.
Tackling crime
Businesses suffer
disproportionately from crime. Stealing of items not only requires their
replacement but cuts earnings. Yet often these crimes against business
are not given the priority they deserve. The police must be
made to understand the significance of these offences and act
accordingly.
Helping rather than hindering
We must cut rules and regulations. Those that must exist
should be fairly and sympathetically enforced. Officials must be made to
understand that their role in the vast majority of cases is to help
rather than hinder success.
We should establish free assistance centres to help small businesses deal
with the volume of unproductive paper work that is imposed by government
- it is a burden that must be excised.
In trying to help businesses I think politicians overlook that their real challenge is
to make government competitive, to deliver better services at lower
cost. If we could deliver just a 10% improvement in the efficiency of
the public sector the benefits to the whole economy would be remarkable.
I believe that central
Government must abolish tax
on reinvested profits and reward those who take risks by abolishing
capital gains tax on business assets.
|
