As the economy reopens after lockdown candidates representing the Green Party in the Staffordshire County Council elections have called for small businesses to be treated fairly.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are urging all parties contesting the local elections in England to support them in making three ‘key asks’.
These are: that grants available to support small businesses are rolled out more quickly; for local authorities to work with businesses to develop ways of brining customers back safely; and for the longstanding difficulties small businesses face around late payments to be addressed.
Linsey Luke, deputy head of English Regions for the FSB said “Businesses across Staffordshire have told me that what they want to see from election candidates is a clear commitment to backing the small business community and doing all they can in enabling recovery. Clearly, a strong comeback for the small businesses in this area is crucial to the local economy, to jobs, and future development of the area.”
A spokesperson for North Staffs Green Party said, “we understand the importance of small businesses to our local economy and to the national recovery from the pandemic and support the requests made by the FSB”.
The Green Party has put together a five-point plan for supporting small, independent businesses through recovery. This would see the business rates holiday extended into 2022; the VAT cut for tourism extended to cover hospitality too; and a pledge to give 15% of government grants to small and micro businesses.
The spokesperson for North Staffs Green Party said, “as we rebuild our economy after the worst shock it has experienced in living memory we must take this opportunity to create a level playing field for the small businesses that help to make our towns unique and create much needed jobs”.