News and features

Mon, 8 Dec 2008

MP backs Think Smallest First campaign

Lawmaker signs pledge to help small firms "flourish".

A Labour MP has become the latest signatory to a campaign to put small businesses at the heart of the government's decision making, it has been announced.

Bob Blizzard, the member for Waveney, has signed the Federation of Small Business' “Think Smallest First” pledge, which calls for a reduction in the legislative burden facing companies with ten employees or less.

The campaign also urges a "greater understanding" of the impact of late payment charges and tax increases on small firms.

Mr Blizzard, who was elected to parliament in 1997 and has since served as parliamentary private secretary to former transport minister and current international development secretary Douglas Alexander, said the jobs generated by small firms are vital to the economies of places like Waveney.

"I'm also pleased the government's Enterprise Strategy shows a commitment to making sure the regulatory environment does not become a barrier for small companies," he added.

The FSB is a pressure group serving the interests of small firms and the self-employed. It currently has 210,000 members across 230 branches nationwide.