I have been visiting hospitality businesses and tourism destinations across Faversham and Mid Kent, and their story is the same: they are drowning under ever increasing costs.
Many of these increased costs are down to choices made by this government - like the jobs tax, which has increased the cost of employment by £900 for the average worker, and increased business rates. And this is all before Labour’s Employment Rights Act starts clobbering businesses with an extra red tape, forecast to cost a total of £5 billion extra across the economy.
The war in the Middle East is pushing up energy prices. But they were already high before. Instead of helping on energy costs by reining in the cost of pursuing Net Zero, Ed Miliband is pressing ahead regardless.
The Conservatives plan to scrap crippling carbon taxes and bring down the cost of energy. It’s one of the biggest costs in our economy and the high prices drive investment and businesses away from the UK.
And we will support smaller businesses with a permanent 100% cut in business rates - that would mean no business rates for 250,000 high street shops, pubs, cafes and so on. This would deliver substantial savings, capped at £110,000 per business, which could be reinvested in better premises, more staff and lower prices.
While Labour MPs are busy scheming about whether Andy Burnham will replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, Conservatives are speaking up for businesses.
If you are a business or charity struggling with increased costs, email me, and I will do what I can to help you.
