Victoria Groulef responds to David Coats’ article The politics of work
SMEs represent 57 per cent of the private sector; it is where innovation takes place, and where good jobs are to be found. Its role in the supply chain of consumer brands is often unknown but can be revolutionary to a product’s or company’s impact in the market. At their best, SMEs are where people in all their guises flourish – the emerging women’s business sector and the first Women’s Business Centre embody this. The traditional focus on big business is insufficient when building the good jobs of 2020, but so too is a narrow view of small business.
Too often the view of an SME is a premises – the shop, the workshed, the studio. The cut to business rates will help these people massively. But we cannot forget those who run their business from a white van, garage or kitchen table. I know many of these business owners, working every hour they can, and they are an essential and vibrant part of our economy.
Many small businesses start as sole traders. Whether bigger than the number of public sector workers or not, the self-employed should not face the trouble they do when trying to get a mortgage or pension, or claim benefits in the hard times. They should not be forced to grow, but, when they do, government can assist as they transform into an employer. Help with payroll, human resources and parental leave would have huge benefits for employers, employees and the economy as a whole.
Most importantly, access to credit and capital can be a game-changer. Many SMEs have become disillusioned with the big banks which often turn down funding requests. Crowdfunding has been one option, but business owners and investors do need better guidance, examples of best practice and perhaps legislation to help this fledgling source of creativity maximise its impact.
If small business in all its forms flourishes, so will the experience of Britain at work.
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Victoria Groulef is parliamentary candidate for Reading West
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Articles in the Britain 2020 series are all available to read on the Progress website