The last year has been an extremely tough one for small businesses, with lockdowns and restrictions having a severe impact, as well as Brexit creating a decline in immigration, and the accompanying loss of workers.
And yet we have seen the best of small and medium sized businesses too. Those who have fought hard to keep on workers, those who have been at the forefront of the local community response to covid and those who have reached out to help people in desperate need.
Local businesses are at the heart of our communities, and people judge the economic health of the nation by how their town centre is performing. It is therefore vital the Labour Party commits wholly to delivering healthy and vibrant places for people to do business, at national, regional and local level.
Thank you SME4Labour for raising your voices and continuing to speak out for local communities.
Anne Clarke AM
London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden