Prime Minister says: "Happy Birthday Harlow!"

As regular readers will know, Harlow New Town celebrated its 65th birthday in the last few days.

That's why I was so delighted to get a letter in the post this morning from the Prime Minister, David Cameron MP.

As you can see from the photo above, he wrote to congratulate Harlow on its achievements, not least in becoming one of the first Enterprise Zones in the whole country.

This is the second time as many months that the Prime Minister has praised Harlow for being one of the most entrepreneurial towns in Britain.

As you can see from this video, in response to my question, he has also said:

"I congratulate Harlow on the fantastic achievement that they have. The Government wants to play it's part, not least by the Enterprise Zone in West Essex, thats covering Harlow, and we hope it will create 5,000 new jobs."

He joins Amy Childs from The Only Way is Essex, and the Sun newspaper, to praise Harlow for its booming small businesses. You can read all about it HERE.

by Robert Halfon MP - Working Hard for Harlow.

My pledge to blaze-hit businesses

I have promised to do everything possible to help businesses in the Nazeing area affected by three recent fires.

Yesterday I visited the scenes with local Conservative councillor Richard Bassett, and met businessman Chris Harwood whose business on the former Chimes garden centre site in Old Nazeing Road was involved in the largest of the fires.

Tragically Mr Harwood has lost his business in the fire and faces the daunting task of rebuilding it once his insurance claim goes through.

It was important to go and visit Mr Harwood and I was shocked by what I saw. The fire has devastated his business and I will be doing all I can with Richard Bassett to help Mr Harwood and others get back on their feet.

There have been three fires in the Nazeing area recently and it is important that we ensure that the police are keeping a watchful eye on what has happened.

I wish Mr Harwood and other businesses affected by this fire all the best and hope that they are able to get their businesses operating again sooner rather than later.

AMY CHILDS: "The only way for the economy is Essex"

As regular readers know, last week I asked in Parliament about booming small businesses in Harlow.

Prime Minister David Cameron even replied: "The only way is Essex!"

TOWIE star Amy Childs (pictured above) has now written about it for The Sun. Her article follows below:

Harlow is powering ahead despite tough times. And TV's TOWIE has been credited with sparking a £1.4 billion High Street bonanza.

The economic recovery in Essex has been massive. The recession is very bad but doesn't seem to be hitting Essex as badly. I hope other counties will see as much success.

At the weekend the High Streets are full of people in restaurants, shops and salons.You can't move on Brentwood High Street. People must be thinking: "What is the point of saving for a rainy day when it's raining every day?"

Essex is now a tourist attraction. Since the show started it has got a million per cent busier.
People want to do the tour, there are tour buses on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I've had a few guys in my salon who had seen the show in Australia, now it is going to America too.

Booming ... Essex has seen a huge increase in tourism

Yesterday I went to an Italian restaurant in Essex and the staff had never seen business so good in 11 years.

There is a nine-week waiting list for my salon. I feel very lucky. But even before the show aired, I worked at a salon and it was always busy because girls here really look after themselves. They want to look nice even if times are tough.

In the current climate I am careful with money but do spend it on looking good.

In a recession girls will turn to a manicure as a cheaper pick-me-up. They might not be able to afford having their hair done but may afford that smaller thing. As a businesswoman you have to offer things people can afford. I have offers aimed at the recession, like little pamper packages.

Down the High Street in Brentwood there are about 15 salons and I go in to see what their prices are and whether I am too expensive.

I hope other counties can be helped by the success of Essex. I would like to open franchises of my shop all over, in places like Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. I've always been proud of Essex and hearing David Cameron talk about Harlow being helped by the Towie effect is mental.

I met him once and wanted to say: "Come to Essex and see how successful the businesses are." But he had security around him.

With Chelmsford having become a city this month, it's a good time to be an Essex girl and I hope the rest of the country can follow our example and have similar success.

by Robert Halfon MP - Working Hard for Harlow.

The Day After: media reaction to Fuel Debate

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Campaign against Health and Safety Executive Plans to burden small businesses with costs continue

Following my recent blog about the Health and Safety Executive proposing to charge small businesses, I asked this question in the House of Commons Today, to Mark Prisk MP, Small Business Minister.

Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): What steps he plans to take to reduce costs for small businesses. [76883]

The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Mr Mark Prisk): In addition to extending small business rate relief and reversing Labour’s planned rise in payroll taxes, we also intend to reduce the burden of financial accounting rules. That will save businesses up to £600 million, a third of which will benefit small and medium-sized enterprises.

Robert Halfon: At a time when many small businesses are struggling to thrive in the economic climate, will my hon. Friend join the campaign of Harlow chamber of commerce and the Essex Federation of Small Businesses strongly to oppose the proposals of the Health and Safety Executive to charge £750-plus to inspect small businesses?

Mr Prisk: I am very much aware of the consultation that the agency is undertaking on fees and other proposals, and I understand the concerns that my hon. Friend voices. Any fees, any proposals, need to be proportionate and reasonable.

Mr Prisk has also said to me that he will contact The Department for Welfare, which is overall responsible for the Health and Safety Executive.  I will continue this campaign, until the HSE drops these ridiculous proposals.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

HSE costs could hit small businesses

Following my business surgey last week, I am campaigning with the Essex Federation of Small Businesses to fight costs planned by the Health and Safety Executive which would hit small businesses.

I am challenging a move by the Health and Safety Executive to charge small firms for health and safety inspections.

There is a risk this could be seen as a way to raise revenue rather than improve compliance, as the Federation of Small Businesses has argued.  The cost to a small business could be at least £750 for each inspection that results in a letter - which could hit jobs and growth.

My Commons Motion calls on the Government to resist red tape from the Health and Safety Executive and to do everything possible to help small British firms to prosper.

When small businesses are struggling to keep their heads above water, it is outrageous that the HSE seeks to penalise them in this way.

For the full motion, visit HERE.  

Petrol Prices are Causing Unemployment

As Tom Newton-Dunn at The Sun has reported, with unemployment at 2.5 million, and petrol prices hitting 150p in some places, there is increasing evidence that higher petrol prices are causing higher unemployment.

In 2006, when petrol was just 95p on average, experts at the London School of Economics, and University College London, published research showing that unemployed workers who could not travel to jobs, tended to stay “unemployed for longer”.

Since then fuel prices have surged by an astronomical 40 per cent, despite the recession and many suffering from redundancy or wage-freezes. In fact, the UK pump cost of unleaded is now at an average 135p. In some garages it is hitting 150p or more.

But British families face no alternative to driving their cars and vans, as even rail fares are set to rocket by 13 per cent, causing misery for millions.

Fuel is already a huge burden. According to figures released by the Royal Automobile Club, the average motorist in my constituency of Harlow is getting fleeced for £1,700 a year just to fill up the family car. This is one tenth of the average Harlow salary.

As regular readers of will know, the Coalition has inherited Gordon Brown's disastrous plans to hike fuel duty by another 4p per litre in January and August 2012. However, while George Osborne has thankfully delayed these increases, he has not yet scrapped them entirely, even though petrol prices are fast becoming a major threat to jobs and the economy.

As the FairFuelUK campaign has proved, high petrol costs are literally driving people out of work. Three quarters of the transport company bankruptcies in the past year have been blamed on excessive fuel prices. Our fuel and carbon taxes are simply uncompetitive compared with our European neighbours. Only a few weeks ago, these grim statistics were revealed by insolvency firm SFP, who have warned that if we don't act now, there could be worse to come.

Cutting fuel duty now must be a priority for the Chancellor, over and above the clamour to cut taxes for millionaires. Rip-off petrol prices are now so high they are a poverty trap, keeping people on benefits, as job-seekers can’t afford to travel, and businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

And to those 'do-gooders' who say we shouldn't be using cars, I say get in the real world. In my hometown of Harlow, the question is not whether can you afford to have a car - but whether can you afford not to. That’s why I urge everyone to sign our e-petition, to share it with their friends on Facebook and Twitter. If we reach 100,000 signatures, this will help us to secure an MP’s debate in Parliament. Our top priority now must be scrapping the 4p fuel duty increases, that are scheduled for January and August 2012.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Petrol Prices and unemployment : The Sun backs the Halfon/FairFuel UK E-petition for Cheaper Petrol

This week we found some information from the London School of Economics, showing the link between high petrol costs and unemployment.  I will post the details of the study later.  Meanwhile:

From today's edition of The Sun:

The Sun is backing my e-petition for Cheaper Petrol and Diesel, which I have set up with the FairFuelUK campaign.

So far, it has clocked up 55,000 signatures in two weeks. If we can get 100,000, we are very likely to secure an MP's debate in Parliament. This wil keep the issue of rip-off fuel taxes - and the need for cheaper petrol - high up on the Government's agenda.

Working together with FairFuelUK, I have been campaigning on this issue for many months now, including debates in Parliament, delivering a petition to Number 10 Downing Street, and even pushing a car up Whitehall.

Recently, I also asked the Prime Minister David Cameron about this at PMQs, and he gave a very supportive reply.

High petrol prices are the number one issue facing Harlow residents, and thousands of families and businesses are struggling with the cost.

Please sign our e-petition today - it only takes 30 seconds. Please also share this with your friends on Facebook and Twitter, and urge the Government to cut fuel duty NOW.


by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

What it means to be an enterprise zone

Following today's exciting news that Harlow has been selected to be an enterprise zone (scroll down to read my previous blog posting), here are details from the Government website, as to what an Enterprise Zone actually means in practice:

Enterprise Zones will benefit from:

• A 100 per cent business rate discount worth up to £275,000 over a five year period, for businesses that move into an Enterprise Zone during the course of this Parliament;
• All business rates growth within the zone for a period of at least 25 years will be retained and shared by the local authorities in the LEP area to support their economic priorities;
• Government and local authority help to develop radically simplified planning approaches in the zone; and
• Government support to ensure superfast broadband is rolled out in the zone. This will be achieved through guaranteeing the most supportive environment and, if necessary, public funding.

The Government will make enhanced capital allowances for investment in plant and machinery available in designated areas within a limited number of Enterprise Zones.

This is only available where the Government and Local Enterprise Partnership agree that it is better for the local economy to focus on a smaller number of companies making significant capital intensive investments. The vast majority of Enterprise Zones will retain a focus on attracting greater volumes of companies through business rate discounts.

More details for Harlow Enterprise Zone:

Discovery Park in Sandwich and West Essex Enterprise Zonein Harlow - led by the Kent, Essex and East Sussex local enterprise partnership proposes:

• Harlow will focus on medical technologies and advanced manufacturing;
• Harlow will create 100 businesses 2,200 - 2,570 jobs by 2015;
• Planning: simplified regime will cover change of uses without the need for planning permission to be sought.

Harlow will facilitate those businesses in the health and allied industries and advanced manufacturing sectors.

You can read more HERE.


Rob Halfon
halfon4harlow@roberthalfon.com

Letter to Businesses in Harlow, Hastingwood, Matching, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering

On Wednesday, I published an open letter on my blog to local residents about my work as MP for Harlow Constituency.  Today, I have written a similar letter to local small businesses:

Dear Business,

As your local MP, I have made it my business to often visit small businesses and discuss relevant concerns.  I have built close relations with Essex FSB and local Chambers of Commerce, and am in frequent contact. On 21 January, I will be holding an advice surgery for local Businesses in conjunction with Essex FSB.



I know there are real worries - especially regarding the state of the economy. The country's debt and deficit remain high and - as, you are aware - we are currently paying £120 million a day in debt interest alone.  The planned January VAT rise will make the situation more difficult and I was disappointed that the Government did not extend the National Insurance holiday to the East of England - something I have lobbied the Chancellor on - and will continue to do so.  Although Eastern England is one of only two regions in the country with a positive GDP, it does not mean that areas like Harlow, do not desperately need help for small businesses.

  Visiting Tescos Warehouse

On  the plus side, there have been some good measures announced by the coalition government:

• 75,000 more apprenticeships every year;
• cuts to corporation tax;
• making rate relief automatic for small businesses;
• aiming for 25 per cent of all Government contracts to be awarded to small and medium-sized businesses;
• all Government tenders to be published online in full and free of charge.

Moreover, the Government have set in train some difficult measures in order to get rid of the deficit by 2014.  If this succeeds, Britain will once again be on the path to a entrepreneurial low tax economy.

For my part, I have been fighting hard for something I passionately believe in: expanding apprenticeships.  I have employed the first ever MP Apprentice, who will complete a Level 3 by the end of his time in the House of Commons.  I have also worked - with a number of skills related organisations - to create a Royal Society of Apprentices, to ensure that apprentices have the prestige and mentoring that other professions have.  This is not just about economic efficiency, but social justice as well.

On infrastructure related issues, my campaign for an extra junction on the M11 carries on. A few months ago, I initiated a debate on this in the House of Commons to ensure that this is on the Transport Secretary's agenda. Essex Council are currently doing a £500 million study in to the extra junction - and the results should be announced some time in the new year.  A new junction would be a boon to local businesses, as traffic would be reduced significantly.

I will continue to do all I can to support local businesses in Parliament.  When a small business owner came to see me in my surgery recently, about rising costs, I rasied his concerns on the floor of the House of Commons during Business Questions. I have also contacted the small business Minister about his case. You can see more details about this HERE.

As a Conservative, I believe in business.  Without flourishing small businesses, we create no real employment or prosperity for the economy.  Helping business thrive should be in the DNA of every politician.  It certainly is in mine. Although I don't have a magic wand, I do have the advantage of advocacy.  I am your advocate in Westminster.

I wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Yours ever,


Robert

P.S.  If you want to attend my Business Advice Surgery on 21 January, please call 01279 311 451.

P.P.S. The picture below shows me visiting Smiths Industries in the Pinnacles, with Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.





 by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Hurting small businesses

Why is it that small businesses, which are the lifeblood of the economy - in a way which big global corporates never will be - seem to be hit hardest from red tape and higher taxes? I was reminded of this most recently, by a small business owner, who came to see me in my MPs' surgery.  He told me how his business was having to pay ever increasing taxes and charges, especially at a time of economic hardship.  His argument was simple:  in these difficult times, small businesses should not have obstacles thrown in  their way to make life even harder.

I could not agree more - and asked the following question to the Leader of the House of Commons, Sir George Young, during Business Questions last week:

Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Will the Leader of the House find time for an urgent debate on costs to small businesses? Two of my Harlow constituents- Mr Raymond Patten and his daughter-have a small business outside Harlow. Their business costs have increased severely this year, with business rates up by 50% and licensing costs trebling. Does my right hon. Friend agree that while this Government are doing many excellent things to help businesses, we must not give with one hand and take away with the other?

Sir George Young: I agree with my hon. Friend, and I see that there is a debate scheduled for Tuesday on support for businesses, which he may like to attend. He will have read the Government's Green Paper, "Financing a private sector recovery", which lists a range of measures the Government are taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises, such as a business growth fund of £1.5 billion, £200 million for the enterprise capital funds and support for the enterprise finance guarantee, as well as supporting SMEs through growth hubs. I will, of course, draw my hon. Friend's remarks to the attention of the relevant Ministers.

Whatever is being proposed, it can't come soon enough:  if we are to have an economic recovery, we need to ensure that our small business entrepreneurs are incentivised and not discouraged.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

The social benefits of business.

It is not often that the social benefits of small business are emphasised. Usually, it is all about the economic advantages: employment, investment, profit, taxes raised and payed.

Yet, small businesses are often vital to our community well-being. They also often provide a social benefit that has great effect on our quality of life.

I thought of this recently on Thursday - attending the launch of a new Bariatric Showroom in Harlow. The first of its kind in the UK - and part of 1st Call Mobility (that already provides mobility equipment in the Town). This Showroom was not just any kind of showroom. It had been built from start to finish in five months and provides all the equipment and services that Bariatrics need. Never before have Bariatrics in the UK, been looked after in this way.

No wonder that there were nearly 200 people at the launch from medical units all over Britain. It was good to see Princess Alexandra well represented, with Occupational Therapists in strong attendance.

So, here was an example of a successful business, with an annual turnover of millions of pounds, created by hard work, entrepreneuralism and ingenuity. But, it is also a business which understands its market and is passionate about transforming the lives of its customers for the better. Its a nice example of the moral benefits of capitalism.

P.S. As you will see from the picture, I met yet another Essex Apprentice, Glen, employed by 1st Call Mobility. I am sure he will be a great success.

P.P.S. I hope you like the picture of Anton du Beke from Strictly Come Dancing with some Occupational Therapists. Anton opened the new Centre with a magnificent and humorous speech.

Alan Sugar - your fired

Despite enjoying The Apprentice, I have never understood why Gordon Brown appointed Alan Sugar to spearhead the Government's task force for business. Only last week, Mr Sugar thought it apt to lay in to struggling small businesses stating:

"I can honestly say a lot of problems you hear from people who are moaning are from companies I wouldn't lend a penny to. They are bust. The moaners are bust. They are bust and they don't need the bank - they need an insolvency practitioner." (Daily Mail, 4 November 2009)

The arrogance of this comment is breathtaking, particularly, when many small businesses are struggling to keep to keep afloat - because of Gordon Brown's mishandling of the economy.

I am sometimes asked, so what would Conservatives do differently to help small businesses in this difficult climate. I thought it might be useful to set out Tory policies below (incidentally, the Conservative Spokesman for small businesses is Mark Prisk (neighbouring MP for Hertford and Stortford):

Conservative action for small business

Simpler, fairer taxes

We will reverse Labour's planned increase in small company corporation tax, from 22p in the coming year back to 20p.

We will simplify the tax system, to reduce complexity for small businesses.

Securing finance

We believe Labour's loan guarantee schemes are too complex, narrow and bureaucratic. We believe that, during the recession, there should be a single national loan guarantee scheme, to guarantee billions of pounds of loans for all business sectors and for viable firms whatever their size.

Cutting the burden of regulation

We will create a one in-one out requirement where any new regulation must include cuts in old laws which, together, produce a net 5% reduction in the total regulatory burden.

We will apply a 'sunset clause' to all regulators. During the first term of a Conservative Government all regulators will be re-assessed and their duties, size and functions reviewed. Our aim is fewer, smaller and cheaper regulators.

Many small businesses complain of unfair treatment in employment and discrimination tribunals. We will consult carefully on reforming these tribunals so that the system is fair to all sides.

The powers of government inspectors will be curbed, by letting businesses arrange their own, externally audited inspections and, providing they pass, to refuse entry to official inspectors thereafter.

Helping people start and grow new businesses

We will introduce a Work for Yourself programme to help people become self employed. Working with proven specialist organisations like the Prince's Trust and the Bright Ideas Trust we will enable the building of a network of business mentors and appropriate business support and loans to help the next generation of entrepreneurs.

These policies at least give some impetus to business and are far removed from Alan Sugar's approach of harsh criticism. There is a big difference between a reality TV programme and the real business world.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Bush Fair and the Credit Crunch

With my friend, Colleen Morrison, who is Director of MRB Recruitment (based at Bush Fair), I spent a good a few hours in Bush Fair today (after a delicious poached egg breakfast in the Pizzeria Cafe), meeting traders and managers of all the local shops, as well as chatting to residents and shoppers.

My purpose was to find out how the Credit Crunch was impacting on their business, and also to discuss a few local issues, including the difficult one of parking.

All the people I spoke to, said that the recession had impacted takings somewhat. They said that high taxes and red tape was making life particularly difficult.

One company even showed me a plotted graph, which illustrated the decline in takings from last year. If you look at the bottom line in the picture, you can see the dramatic difference.

I was struck that, despite the difficult economic times, the shopkeepers were doing all they could not to raise prices. As a result there were still many customers coming into their stores - Joy's Flowers being a prime example. The picture shows Joy, Colleen and I pictured by a refrigeration unit that stores the flowers. To my shock, Joy told me the unit costs more than a car! No wonder she has such nice flowers!

One of the nicest things about Bush Fair is that so many of the shops are independent and are not chain stores - something that is increasingly rare nowadays. I was glad to walk round and be introduced to everyone by Colleen, as she knows everybody and is a walking Encylopaedia of everything that happens in Bush Fair.

I was pleased to have a long discussion - over a much needed cup of tea - with Ken Freeman who is Chairman of Bush Fair Traders and owns three shops. He set out the view of the traders and has asked me to contact the Council regarding some parking issues, which I shall be sure to follow up. Ken cares deeply about Bush Fair, his business and his ten employees, and is a shining example of the special nature of the place.

All in all, it was a good days work for me as Prospective MP, as I heard at first hand the problems facing small business. I look forward to many future visits.

P.S. The excellent Pizzeria Cafe can be found HERE.

Help for Small Businesses

I visit small firms in Harlow often and thought you might like to see below some Conservative plans to help small business during the Recession

PROSPECTIVE MP WELCOMES MOVE TO HELP SMALL FIRMS DURING THE RECESSION

Prospective Harlow Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Robert Halfon has welcomed Conservative plans to cut taxes and paperwork for small shops and small firms.

In a new initiative, small business rate relief would be given automatically to firms across England, rather than making businesses claim it and complete time-consuming forms.

Small business rate relief was introduced in 2005, allowing small firms to claim up to 50 per cent off their business rate bills.

However, firms have to fill out paperwork to claim the rate relief, despite the fact Whitehall’s tax inspectors know precisely which firms are eligible.
After rent and staff, business rates are typically the next biggest cost to local firms. Business experts have warned that 32,300 businesses will fail in 2009.

Firms face a hammering this April from the Government thanks to soaring business rates.

Mr Halfon said: "Small shops and businesses across the Harlow area are facing tough times in Labour’s recession. These firms, from our corner shops to local pubs, are the lifeblood of our local community. A responsible government would do more to help them. Yet Gordon Brown is making it difficult for small firms to claim the tax relief to which they are entitled. He is adding to their misery by finding new ways to drive up business rates by stealth.

"Conservatives would ensure that small firms automatically receive rate relief, cutting their paperwork and tax bills, giving many of them a fighting chance to stay afloat."

The amount of Small Business Rate Relief granted in Harlow has risen by almost £45,000 in the last three financial years, to £178,638 in 2007-08.

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