RISHI Sunak must place the nation’s army of plumbers, sparkies and construction workers at the heart of plans to repair the economy in next week’s Budget, the Lib Dems say.
They are urging the Chancellor to create a £50billion rescue package of tax cuts and bailouts to help small businesses get back up and running after the pandemic.
Lib Dems say the Government has left small businesses hanging by a thread during the pandemic, with one in seven small firms – a massive 906,000 businesses – at risk of going bankrupt by April unless they receive additional support according to the Federation of Small Businesses.
It would leave 2.5 million people without a job.
Christine Jardine MP, Treasury Spokesperson for The Liberal Democrats, launched calls for the Chancellor to put small businesses first next week.
She said: “It is now or never to save a million businesses in our local communities.
“From brickies to plumbers, sparkies to chippies – Britain’s tradespeople are the backbone of our economy and we need to give them the support they need to drive our recovery.
“They are hanging by a thread and need urgent action to avoid falling off a cliff, as well as help to put them on a stable footing for the tough years ahead.
“Our restaurants, cafes, tourist sites, cinemas and events promoters are also struggling and our airline industry is facing the worst crisis in its history.”
The Lib Dems are calling for a “furlough for SMEs”, offering compensation to cover a portion of a business’s fixed costs.
Any small and medium sized company, employing fewer than 250 people and with an annual turnover below £25million, would be eligible.
Ms Jardine added: “It is time to demand a fair deal for these vital jobs and I am proud the Liberal Democrats are speaking up for them.
“These are local people who are proud of what they do and what they give to the community.
“We cannot turn our backs on them in their hour of need.”
