Candidates outline plans to boost Brighton businesses

Nancy Platts said Brighton was leading the way to recovery

Brighton Pavilion's candidates have been debating how their parties would support small businesses.

Conservative Charlotte Vere said her party would reduce corporation tax and get rid of red tape.

Caroline Lucas said the Greens
planned to create up to one million jobs in environmental industries.

Labour's Nancy Platts said she would promote entrepreneurship while Lib Dem Bernie Millam wanted to create four small business hubs for the area.

Candidates debated the economy at the Ambassador Hotel in New Steine on Wednesday.

Caroline Lucas said she wants to create jobs in environmental industries

The event was organised by the East Sussex Region of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Ms Platts said: "I want to protect the small shops and businesses, promote our entrepreneurship and attract investment.

"These are the vital ingredients that have helped Brighton recover this time and will ensure Brighton thrives in future."

Ms Platts accused the Green Party of stifling the local economy by voting against local developments plans.

Ms Lucas said her party would reduce corporation tax to 20% for small firms and increase it to 30% for larger ones.

She said: "Small businesses should be at the heart of our economic recovery, but they are severely hampered by red tape.

"We will offer help to cope with the regulations and provide tailored advice on energy efficiency."

Charlotte Vere said the Conservatives would reduce corporation tax

Ms Vere said the Conservatives would reduce corporation tax, get rid of red tape, and introduce a waiver on national insurance for the first ten employees for new businesses.

She said: "We want enterprise to succeed because they are the people who pay for our public services.

"It's critical we help them out as much as possible."

Ms Vere said the Greens' plans to increase corporation tax for larger firms would be "crippling".

Bernie Millam wants to create small business hubs

Lib Dem Ms Millam said: "Small businesses provide the lifeblood of our economy here in Brighton & Hove.

"Over the years they have been woefully neglected by the Labour government and Tory-controlled council."

Ms Millam said she wanted to create four small business hubs, bring back parking under council control, and introduce a congestion charge for non residents.

She also said her party would reduce corporation tax for small businesses.

Candidates announced for Brighton Pavilion are: UK Independence Party: Nigel Carter; Green: Caroline Lucas; Lib Dem: Bernie Millam; Labour: Nancy Platts; Conservative: Charlotte Vere.