We don't need Quangos we need the FSB and BCC

One thing that has always amazed me is why so many quangos and committees have been set up in recent years - many in the Eastern Region - purporting to support businesses - and funded by taxpayers money. These unelected bodies have been given huge government grants and have the ability to pick 'winners' or 'losers'. Because they are funded from the taxpayer, they put other business organisations at a competitive disadvantage - as they have no access to taxpayers' largesse.

It is good that the Government are getting rid of these quangos - like the East of England Development Agency for example. Organisations like FSB Essex and Essex Chambers of Commerce do a far better job in supporting business, are genuinely representative and based on voluntary consent rather than taxpayer compulsion. FSB Essex for example does more for small business that any bloated bureaucracy. At least the new Local Enterprise Partnerships - which will have tiny budgets - have major representation from the FSB and other business organisations.

That is why I am very pleased to work closely with organisations like Essex FSB. They do a tremendous job in standing up for small businesses in Harlow and across the County. They are incredibly active in trying to get policy changes that will help their membership - which runs into the many thousands.

PS. On 21 January 2011, I will be holding a special Business Surgery - with Essex FSB - in the Harlow Kao Hockham Building. The aim is to meet local small businesses and hear their concerns about finance and the economy and reflect their views back to Government Ministers. It is great that the FSB have been so pro-active in making this happen.

You can see more details by clicking this weblink: http://www.fsb.org.uk/News.aspx?loc=101&rec=6743

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