SMALL businesses in Somerset are being urged to put their views to a county MP.

As part of initiatives around Small Business Saturday (December 7), Sarah Dyke (Lib Dem, Glastonbury & Somerton) visited a number of county businesses and launched a new business survey giving people the chance to have their say.

Through visits and the online survey, Ms Dyke urged business owners to share the challenges they face in today’s climate to help her to ensure their voices are heard in Parliament.

On December 3, Ms Dyke spoke against the government’s National Insurance Contributions Bill, which she fears will have a disastrous impact on small businesses, GPs, social care providers and farm businesses.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our rural economy in Glastonbury and Somerton, and the beating heart of our local high streets,” she said.

“After 14 years of Conservative economic mismanagement, which wrecked the economy, and amid spiralling costs, it’s deeply unfortunate the Labour Government has chosen to put increased pressure on small businesses with this employer’s National Insurance tax hike.

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“A local GP surgery told me this will add around £45,000 to their costs, an unsustainable amount for surgeries which have been experiencing financial strain for years now.

“Another local business owner described the NICs rise as a disastrous triple whammy, when combined with rising business rates and staff costs. For many businesses struggling to survive, these policies may be the final nail in the coffin.

“I’m looking forward to celebrating small businesses on Saturday, and their immeasurable contribution to our communities, economies, and lives. As the foundation of the government’s growth agenda, we must urgently make it a priority to support small businesses before it’s too late.”

Business owners can complete Ms Dyke’s survey at https://digitallibdems.typeform.com/to/SLN1hELX.