Labour MP Jeff Smith has called for more support for small businesses during Small Business Saturday in Manchester Withington.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses, SMEs make up 99% of the business population in the UK.

Small Business Saturday celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and to support businesses in their communities. This year it is calling on the nation to share a ‘big thank you’ with small firms to recognise their vital role throughout the pandemic.

Jeff highlighted the work done by small businesses during the pandemic, and how businesses in Chorlton, Didsbury, Burnage and Withington are crucial to south Manchester’s high streets and the local community.

Labour has recognised the support that small businesses need to recover and thrive. This is why the party has pledged to cut and eventually entirely scrap business rates, replacing them with a new form of business taxation fit for the 21st Century. This would support small businesses rebuild after the pandemic and would level the playing field between online giants and bricks and mortar businesses.

Jeff slammed the Tories for their national insurance tax hike, which places further burdens on businesses at a time when they should be focusing on recovery

Jeff said:

“I am delighted to support Small Business Saturday. Small businesses do so much to enrich our lives and our community in south Manchester, providing jobs, training and supporting economic growth.

“I know that local businesses have faced massive adversity over the last 18 months, and now face further challenges like rent debt, supply chain issues and soaring energy costs.

“Labour understands the support that small businesses need, and this is why we have pledged to scrap business rates and replace it with a fairer alternative. This will be the biggest overhaul of business taxation in a generation, supporting our small businesses to rebound from the pandemic, while blancing the playing field between bricks and mortar businesses and online giants.

“The government’s national insurance tax hike will place further burdens on Manchester Withington’s small businesses at a time when they should be focusing on recovery.”