I am delighted to back Small Business Saturday. All over Thurrock there are small businesses providing a living and jobs for so many people. The challenge of setting up your own business is always a risk.
The costs in taxes are daunting and Governments must do their best to support those who have the courage to establish their own businesses and enable them to be the best they can be.
Firstly, I have successfully lobbied the Government to extend the residents discount for the Dartford Crossing to vans and small Lorries. This will be a big saving to self employed people in Thurrock who work in Kent as will as Essex.
Secondly, I invited the Secretary of State for Justice to visit a number of small businesses who had been blighted by crime at a great cost to their businesses. Following this visit, Chris Grayling introduced measures to enable businesses to give victim impact statements to the courts when criminals receive their sentences. Where commercial crime makes a serious impact on a business, this will be reflected in the punishment the offender receives.
I hope everyone will be supporting and getting involved in Small Business Saturday on 7th December Small Business Saturday is a new grassroots.
The campaign backed by the Government, major political parties, local councils and many others. The idea of the day is forsmall businesses of all kinds across the UK to take part by offering special deals for customers, showcasing events and much more. Government Departments will be working with the campaign to support small businesses on this day.