Around a thousand businesses in the Harlow constituency would save more than £600 a year on their annual rates bill under proposals unveiled by the Liberal Democrats.

Welcoming the launch of the Liberal Democrat Manifesto for Business, Lorna Spenceley, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for Harlow, said:

This is great news for local small firms, who are getting a raw deal from the Labour Government.

Small businesses currently pay much more of their turnover in business rates than larger companies. This is just not fair. The Liberal Democrats will introduce a Business Rates Allowance that will deliver relief on business rates for smaller businesses, saving them, on average, over £600 a year.

We will also slash the red tape, bureaucracy and over-regulation that are holding local businesses back. No new regulation will be passed until there is a full published assessment of its costs and necessity. Instead of bureaucratic central government business support schemes we will provide businesses with advice and support accessible on the ground where they operate.

And we will equip school leavers with the kind of skills local employers really need. From the age of 14 we will give pupils greater choice on how they continue their education, including the option of taking up an apprenticeship or other accredited workplace training scheme.