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The Government should put party politics to one side and act now to support the new Conservative proposal to make business rate relief automatic for small firms insists Damian Collins, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe.

Mr Collins said: "Currently many are put off from the complex form filling involved in applying for the relief. This means that approximately 45% of local firms in the South East don’t apply, meaning that over £600,000 of relief a year in Shepway remains unclaimed.

“In addition to this I support the call for small and medium-sized businesses to be allowed to defer their VAT bills, for up to six months, which could save £12,000 a year for a typical firm as a result, and improve its cash flow – which as we all know is so vital for smaller businesses to survive.

“For the last two and a half years I have been campaigning for more action to be taken to make it easier for small local businesses to compete. Local businesses support each other, employ local people and are the lifeblood of our high streets and village centres.

"In these tough times, the need to help hard working local business people is greater than ever. Last year I introduced Brian Binley MP, Chairman of the Conservative Party’s Commission on small shops, on a tour of businesses in Hythe High Street, so he could hear the problems they are facing.

“We have to act now before it is too late for many local businesses”