News from East Midlands Labour

Graham Allen MP: Tories will do nothing to give real help now to families and small businesses

Graham Allen, Labour MP for Nottingham North, responding to Andrew Mitchell, the Conservative frontbencher’s visit to Nottingham today, said:

“The economic plans that the Tories are proposing will do nothing to provide real help now for the people of Nottingham.

“Today they claim they want to help the economy but only yesterday they pledged to cut £5 billion from investment in our vital services such as infrastructure, skills and training, right at the time when people need it the most.

“If Andrew Mitchell is serious about helping small businesses, then why is he opposing the new Business Payment Support Service, which allows businesses in difficulty to defer their tax payments? Why is he opposing ‘Small Business Guarantee Facility’, which allows businesses to borrow any sum, from £1,000 to £1 million, at cheaper rates and for a longer period? And why are they opposing the £3 billion brought forward to invest in infrastructure, skills and training to help us come through the downturn stronger and sooner?

“If Andrew Mitchell really wants to help families, then why is he opposing the VAT cut worth £275 off the average household bill and the £145 tax cut for basic rate taxpayers? Why is he opposing the £60 for pensioners from January 1st – or bringing forward the increases in child benefit and child tax credit?”