Political opinion: Chris Coghlan MP calls out rising costs to local businesses
I’ve been speaking with many companies that are facing unsustainable rising costs. This month, I met with Chalk Hills Bakery, based in Horley. They employ 35 people and are vital to the local economy. The owner, Chris, told me that they have lost half their profit because of increases to National Insurance contributions, minimum wage rises and upcoming business rates increases.
Concerns over rising business rates is an issue I’ve been contacted about a lot about as rateable values are set to soar for many businesses. Chris told me that, despite their multiplier being reduced after the Autumn Budget announcement, they are still looking at a 15-20% increase.
They’re not alone. The Federation of Small Businesses expects that more small companies are due to shrink over the next year, than grow. This is why I’m calling for an immediate reduction in VAT for the hospitality industry, to provide some much-needed breathing space.
Another issue that has been impacting many is the poor condition of our local roads. Residents frequently complain to me that potholes go unfixed for long periods of time and that temporary repairs don’t do enough, leaving the same issues to reappear.
According to the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), pothole damage to cars costs an average of£600 to fix. Potholes can become dangerous on poorly lit roads at night and can increase the risk of accidents for all road users.
Under Conservative leadership, £50 million has been spent on fixing potholes in Surrey over the past few years, yet many feel the road conditions aren’t getting any better. I’m conducting a survey to collect evidence so that I can write to Surrey County Council, calling for faster pothole repairs and greater clarity on how they are managing this problem: https://digitallibdems.typeform.com/to/KXSFymh1.
Finally, this month I’ll be in Horley, at Horley Baptist Church, on the 30th of March between 18:30 and 20:00. This is an opportunity to discuss local issues and share your views. Whether you have something specific to raise or just want to be part of the conversation, I’d be very glad to see you there.