Today is Small Business Saturday and to coincide with the event, The Labour Party has launched its plan for small business.

The Labour Party knows the value of small businesses – it is not just the lifeblood of communities like Stretford and Urmston, but its also essential to our economic success.

Andrew Western, the MP for Stretford and Urmston, said: “Labour is proud to back our small businesses. Today we have launched a plan for small business that is a serious blueprint to create the long-term environment that businesses across the country are crying out for.

“Please shop local where you can and support the range of small businesses that we have here in Stretford and Urmston.”

That is The Labour Party’s plan to support small businesses:

1. Legislate to tackle late payments: Unlocking £20 billion in unpaid invoices
2. Scrap business rates: And replace it with a system that is fairer for bricks and mortar businesses
3. Revitalise our high streets: Tackling anti-social behaviour and powers to take over empty shops
4. Boosting small business exports: Removing the barriers to export with clear information and support
5. A new direction for skills: With Technical Excellence Colleges connected to local economic needs
6. Get Britain building again: By speeding up the planning system and unblocking the grid
7. Make Britain a clean energy super power: For cheaper bills and greater energy security
8. The best place to start up and scale up: With better access to finance and more spinouts from universities
9. A fair chance at public contracts: With guaranteed shortlisting for smaller firms

The plan will be driven by Jonathan Reynolds MP, Shadow Minister for Business and Trade. Jonathan and Andrew met up in Parliament recently, recently to discuss small business in Stretford and Urmston.