Business Minister Matthew Hancock joined Matthew today to visit local businesses in Mill Hill. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy and the Minister was keen to visit successful local ventures as part of his ‘100 businesses in 100 days’ challenge.
Conservative action to support businesses has proved highly successful in Barnet with 10,259 more businesses now than in 2010. A combination of a cut in red tape, small business rate relief, the landmark Employment Allowance, and accessible apprenticeships have paved the way for an unprecedented amount of growth.
Matthew said: “I am delighted to see so many business, small and large, doing so well in Hendon and that is predominately down to the dedicated owners and staff putting in the hard work and Conservative Party policy helping to make small businesses prosperous again. However, I am concerned that Barnet Council have told traders that they will cease to provide small business rate relief beyond the mandatory two year period. I have made my views known to the Deputy Leader of the Council and if re-elected I will press Ministers to extend the mandatory period and provide further relief to businesses.”
Minister Matthew Hancock commented: "I heard loud and clear from local businesses how important business rate relief is to them. Small businesses are the driving force of our economic recovery and the Conservative Party is committed to helping them start up and thrive. We have given Councils the flexibility to offer rate relief to help businesses and a Conservative Government will need to look again at how this is being implemented."
Matthew is pictured with Business Minister Matthew Hancock 'pulling a pint' at The Rising Sun in Mill Hill. Conservatives are committed to helping pubs after Labour policies forced many out of business. Beer duty has been cut again for 2015-16 by 1p meaning that a pint of beer is 9p cheaper than under Labour's duty plans.