Lib Dems call for tax cuts for 1000 small businesses in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
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Ahead of Small Business Saturday tomorrow, local Liberal Democrats are asking for small businesses to be given a tax cut which will save each business an average of £5000.
The cut would help out businesses of all kinds, from cafés, to shops and restaurants.
Owners can use the extra money to cover staff costs, allowing them to employ five people on an average salary without paying any National Insurance contributors.
1.1 million businesses would be eligible for this tax cut.
A record number of small businesses say they are struggling with rising costs as new covid restrictions loom according to a recent survey by the Federation of Small Businesses.
A surge of cancellation's have been reported in Christmas bookings as well, with the introduction of new covid legislation.
The Conservatives have announced small businesses will have to pay more National Insurance contributions in the new year.
Jamie Stone, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said: “Our local shops and restaurants are the backbone of our communities and must be helped through a tough winter. Businesses in the Far North are struggling with mounting bills and worries about the impact of the new Covid variant in the coming weeks. We need to help them now with a big and bold offer.
“It is disgraceful that local businesses in our area are being forced to pay even more tax by this Conservative government. We should help small businesses who have already suffered so much during the pandemic. That is why I am backing calls for our local businesses to receive a tax cut.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey MP, said: “Cafes, shops and start-ups are all looking at this winter with dread, yet all Boris Johnson can muster up is a massive new tax bill. The Conservatives must be living on another planet if they think the answer to business owners’ problems is to put up their taxes.
“This country was promised tax cuts by the Conservatives, but yet again their promises have been proven not to be worth the paper they are written on.
“People and businesses need help now. I want to give our dedicated local business owners and entrepreneurs a helping hand, and to truly unleash Britain’s potential.”
