Liberal Democrats launch Business Survey at Chamber of Commerce

10.45.00pm GMT Tue 8th Feb 2005

Alexander Northcote - Conservative PPC, Andrew Dakers - Lib Dem PPC for Brentford & Isleworth and Tim Luckett, President of Brentford Chamber of Commerce at the political debate hosted by GlaxoSmithKline

Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Brentford & Isleworth, Andrew Dakers, today launched a Business Survey at the Brentford Chamber of Commerce political debate, hosted by GlaxoSmithKline.

Commenting on the Business Survey Andrew Dakers said:

"Politicians are not well known for their listening skills. However, if elected as MP I will continue to run this Business Survey annually to ensure that I remain in touch with the concerns of local businesses across the constituency and can represent them effectively in the House of Commons. The survey is available for download from my website: www.andrewdakers.com"

Andrew outlined five key Lib Dem commitments to accelerate the development of local business to the Chamber of Commerce audience:

1) Putting the pride back in our area - tackling the graffiti crisis. As Liberal Democrat MP for Brentford & Isleworth Andrew would drive forward a 'Graffiti Busters' programme to ensure that the blight of graffiti is tackled head on. There is clear evidence that high levels of graffiti decreases property value and has an adverse affect on commerce. Andrew sums the Liberal Democrat approach to graffiti as "Information, Action, Deterrence".

2) Get Whitehall off the backs of business. We will scrap the Department of Trade and Industry. There is no need for a big government department interfering in the economy and subsidising companies that fail. Liberal Democrats will put the DTI's useful roles in more appropriate departments, such as support for scientific research in the Department for Education, and will axe the rest. This will save billions of pounds of taxpayers' money over the life of a Parliament which we will invest in higher priorities.

3) Cut the red tape that stops businesses from growing. Liberal Democrats will slash the red tape, bureaucracy and over-regulation that is holding British business back - especially small businesses. We will start with these three measures:

· No new regulation will be passed until there is a full published assessment of its costs and necessity.

· Every new regulation will automatically cease unless Parliament specifically approves its renewal after a period specified in a sunset clause.

· Endless visits by all sorts of factory inspectors will be replaced in most cases by one all-purpose inspection.

4) Cut business rates on small businesses. Introduce a Business Rates Allowance, whereby part of a business' rateable value would be discounted in calculating its rates - as with a personal tax allowance. This will help smaller businesses and build upon the Small Business Rate Relief, which will be introduced from 1st April 2005 when the re-valuation comes into force.

5) Promote Sustainability. We will promote sustainable economic activity which requires protection of the environment so that the price of goods and services throughout the EU includes the costs of their production and disposal.