Graham is a longstanding supporter of small businesses and this year, as part of Small Business Saturday on Saturday 7th December, he is asking small businesses across Beverley and Holderness to tell him what they think.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy and communities, and Graham is committed to being their voice both locally and nationally.
The campaigning MP has written to small businesses to ask them to fill in his survey to help him understand the business landscape across the area, which is available at www.grahamstuart.com/SmallBusinessSurvey.
Recent weeks have brought a wave of new difficulties for business owners in the wake of the Budget of Broken Promises.
New workers’ rights will give new employees immediate rights from their first day on the job – meaning that an unsuitable new hire cannot be dismissed.
Under Labour’s Workers’ Rights Bill, employers must offer workplace benefits on day one. This means that taking on a new hire will present significant risks and potential costs.
Beyond this, Labour’s jobs tax will result in an increase in employer national insurance contributions by 8.7%.
On top of this, Labour is cutting the national insurance threshold from £9,000pa to £5,000pa, making part time workers a less viable option for employers.
Hospitality businesses will be particularly affected. In 2025/26, they will be hit by a 47% reduction in their business rates relief.
Labour has also brought in a minimum wage rise of 6.7%, the cost of which must be borne by businesses already grappling with rising inflation.
As part of his pledge to help small businesses, Graham is encouraging them to become part of his local business directory to help people shop local.
Graham, who ran a publishing house before becoming an MP in 2005, is a great champion of small businesses.
He has brought Google to Withernsea to support small business owners in developing their digital skills, secured access to cash for Withernsea, organised a highly successful campaign to recognise independent shops, opened Vuba’s new lab in Beverley, and supported businesses in getting the support they need from the government.
Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, commented, "Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. They provide employment, opportunity, and vitality to our area.
"The Autumn Budget has made it tougher than ever before to get ahead and succeed in the business world; French-style workers' rights, Labour's jobs tax, and above-inflation minimum wage hikes have squeezed owners to breaking point.
"I'm determined to do all I can to support business owners in my constituency. That's why I hope they’ll fill in my short survey and help me better understand the current business landscape in Beverley and Holderness."
