There is nothing more important to me than supporting small businesses, high streets, pubs and the hospitality industry. Right now, too many are under real pressure from higher business rates and Labour’s job tax.
In preparation for a debate in Parliament last week, more than a dozen venues from my South Downs constituency contacted me. Ruth and Martin at the Cricketers in Duncton described to me how their rates are going up by £4,500 to £5,000 a year. The Fox Goes Free in Charlton has been a public house, continuously serving the community, for over 400 years. Its business rates bill will increase by more than £13,000 next year. I heard similar stories—and worse—from the Murrell Arms in Eastergate, the Half Moon Inn in Northchapel, the Labouring Man in Coldwaltham and the Onslow Arms in Loxwood. The same news too from The Bridge Inn in Amberley, the Star and Garter in East Dean, the Bricklayers Arms in Midhurst and the Black Horse Inn in Byworth. These surely cannot be a coincidence; these cannot be isolated examples of those missing out on the “permanently lower” business rates the Chancellor dishonestly claims whilst businesses see only rises. It’s no wonder so many pubs now ban Labour MPs.
Backing business must also go hand in hand with fixing the countries broken welfare system. We cannot have a situation where more than six million working-age adults are on benefits rather than in work, a number larger than the population of Norway. In some cases, households receive over £20,000 a year in support, which can be more than they would earn by working. This situation is an insult to taxpayers and does nothing to help people move forward. Last week the Conservatives announced a plan to Get Britain Working Again. We will look again at health-related benefits and the household cap so that support is focused on those who genuinely need it, while making work pay once more. The country simply cannot afford the current situation, and we believe in the dignity of work.
