Southwark Business Today Dec 23

Page 27

Westminster

Voice from Westminster Neil Coyle MP

Working for British interests In September I wrote for Southwark Business Today about the heavy burden that the cost-of-living crisis is taking on local people and businesses. Sadly, the Government did not take the opportunity of the Autumn Statement to alleviate the pressure on local employers or constituents more widely. The Tories have promised to end late payments and reform business rates since 2010. The Statement also turned up empty on these issues. Our tax regime is worsening. The tax burden on working people is the highest since 1949. Compared to the overall rate of tax in 2009-2010, taxes are £4000 higher per household and prices continue to soar, especially for food shopping and energy bills. The Chancellor seemed to want to be patted on the back for not crashing the economy a la Truss, but his sums do not add up either

when we examine the ensuing years. The limited changes made in 2023 are predicated on eye-watering cuts from 2025, including to education and hospitals despite the crumbling concrete issues affecting many schools and the longest waiting lists in the NHS’ history. Labour’s Chancellor-in-waiting, Rachel Reeves, is ensuring the Party is in a stronger position on the economy. She will insist we provide a costed manifesto when the next election comes and is enforcing a more disciplined approach to policy announcements. Labour is promising to modernise business rates with a system fit for the 21st century, as well as to tackle the scourge of late payments and to create a level playing field for smaller firms to access public contracts. Labour will, if elected, also establish GB Energy and help reduce bills for domestic and commercial consumers across the country. I have also been pushing again for more help to British businesses in Westminster. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill has now completed Commons stages, but Ministers are trying to dodge accepting

my amendment which would remove unsafe products from sale online. My ‘takedown powers’ would remove counterfeit or dangerous goods and help ensure only products that meet UK safety standards can be marketed. Bermondsey-based Electrical Safety First back the proposals and they follow a coroner specifically citing a faulty e-bike charger bought online as the direct cause of death of a young man in London who died when the battery overheated and caused a house fire. Other deaths have occurred but Minister are delaying acting despite the EU now having powers to tackle the problem that UK customers are not provided sadly. I will continue to urge caution to customers in the UK when they buy online, especially as cheaper goods seem more attractive during the festive season for those doing their Christmas shopping. Consumers across the country will only be safe when buying online if the Government accepts the amendments and helps our high streets, manufacturers and consumers alike. It should not be this difficult to get Ministers to work for British interests, but I will keep plugging away until they do!

Our tax regime is worsening. The tax burden on working people is the highest since 1949. Compared to the overall rate of tax in 2009-2010, taxes are £4000 higher per household and prices continue to soar, especially for food shopping and energy bills. Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 27


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The Last Word

1min
page 33

Our Events

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page 33

Grow your Business

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page 32

Could you make a difference?

2min
page 31

Being forward-thinking and inclusive will boost the economy

4min
pages 28-30

Working for British interests

2min
page 27

Tennis champion Andy is backing Padel

2min
page 26

Southwark Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in 1924

1min
page 25

ONE Picture My Story exhibition shares Black heritage at Peckham Library Stranger Sings at Southwark Playhouse

1min
page 24

Classic fairytale, Hansel and Gretel, comes to the Globe

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page 24

Ping Pong and Beanbags:

2min
pages 23-24

Rugby Icon Phil Greening Scores with easyGym Camberwell

2min
pages 20-22

Why staying active is good for your wellbeing Move more in ‘24!

2min
pages 18-19

Business & Community

2min
pages 16-17

The Blue goes from strength to strength

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page 16

Five more years!

2min
pages 14-15

Patrick relishing his new challenge

2min
pages 12-13

Green tech offers solutions to make property more energy efficient

3min
pages 10-11

British Land pushes sport for cities

2min
page 9

New additions mean over 50 school walking maps in Southwark

2min
page 8

Four e-cargo bikes available for hire across Southwark

1min
page 7

London’s first cross-borough network of safe havens launched by Lambeth and Southwark

1min
page 7

AI’s potential impact on contract writing in legal practice

2min
pages 5-6
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