Labour Engaging with local businesses
Author: James Blackman – Candidate for Leomansley Ward
As a business owner myself in Lichfield, I understand the challenges every single sector is facing and I am not going to lie, running a business is challenging particularly if you’re a micro business (0-9 employees). Often the government particularly this one has provided little support or incentives to help effectively grow micro businesses which make up 95% of all businesses in the UK (5.2 Million Micro Businesses)
One of the biggest problems at the moment is the cost of living and supply chain, both go hand in hand, this then is compounded by late payments of invoices and getting the skilled staff we all need to make our businesses work and prop up the local economy.
I have personally campaigned as former President of Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber of Commerce making sure Micro & Small businesses are paid on time without having to do the hokey cokey with large businesses to get paid. I managed to get 130 businesses in the West Midlands to sign a pledge to pay their suppliers in 30 days.
£24bn is owed to SME’s in the UK, on average it works out to £6k per annum is owed.
How can Labour locally help the economy?
We can help massively. Believe it or not, many very successful businesses are Labour supporters. We do want to make money to help the wider community and support local suppliers. Within Lichfield, we have a proliferation of exciting businesses, from web designers to drain cover manufacturers, blind manufacturers, food producers, pubs, and restaurants. Lichfield has it all.
We can’t rely on the Tory council to help with local business, as from history they can’t deliver on any large-scale projects. We as the residents of Lichfield can work together to grow the economy. Its very simple approach and totally logical.
Lichfield Labour is looking to support the economy by getting local businesses to work together, reduce their supply chain and use other local businesses. The talent and expertise are all within a 10-mile radius of the Cathedral.
Businesses working together make a stronger economy
If businesses looked more inward within Lichfield, the money will stay in Lichfield. For example why use Go Daddy or Fast Hosts for your business websites? Use a local company to host your company. They cost the same.
Don’t let the fees flow out to the Cayman Islands; put it into the businesses in the local area (city centre). Look at using local food producers; it may cost a little bit more, but in fact, you’re supporting a local business. Not only that you’re reducing the milage which in turn reduces your carbon footprint.
Buy your lunch at local café’s and restaurants/sandwich shops. If they’re buying locally and you spend buying lunch with them rather than Greggs, Tescos, or Waitrose, you know that your local shop will keep employing staff locally, rather than your money going to shareholders outside the area. Again, you would be reducing the mileage your sandwich makes which in turn reduces your carbon footprint.
Labour is here to listen to your business needs! Our members are extremely well connected and are active in business networking groups and can listen to how we can help your business grow.
Read our Manifesto on A Fairer and More Prosperous Economy