Stockport Conservatives Supporting Small Business Through The Recession

Stockport Conservative Group have again been leading the way on taking local action to help our Borough's residents and samll businesses through the recession. Following on from their work in support of Credit Unions, Stockport Conservatives have put forward proposals to help raise awareness of Small Business Rate Relief.

With the news that the UK is now officially in recession and that many famous brand names are struggling, local Conservatives recognise the importance of supporting our local shopping centres and small businesess.

Business rates are often one of the largest costs facing businesses and here in Stockport around 35% of eligible small businesses are not claiming Small Business Rate Relief. While this is better than the national rate, there is still room for improvement!

Stockport Conseratives have expressed disbelief that the Labour Government plan to increase Business Rates (National Non Domestic Rate) by an inflation-busting 5% this year. Conservatives strongly oppose this and Stockport Conservative Group Councillors have now successfully lobbied Stockport Council to write to Hazel Blears MP calling for this unfair increase to be scrapped.

Stockport Council have now also adopted Conservative Group proposals for reaching out to eligible small businesses and highlighting to the local business community the availability of rate relief.