SMALL BUSINESSES IN HAMPSHIRE

Early day motion 1200, tabled 26 March 2009 by Sandra Gidley (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 12 members.

That this House notes the pressure that the present economic downturn is placing on small businesses in Southampton and Hampshire; believes that local businesses rely on residents to support their local shops and to buy local goods when possible; supports proposals to aid small businesses across the UK, such as the introduction of automatic payments to those businesses eligible for small business rate relief; supports the efforts of the Federation of Small Business, the Rural Shops Alliance and others in highlighting the needs of their industries in the downturn; congratulates the Southern Daily Echo on its Buy Local Shop Local campaign to encourage communities to pull together in support of local traders; and calls on the Government to ensure everything possible is done to help small businesses during the economic downturn.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 2, Labour 2.