LABOUR GOVERNMENT IGNORES GLASGOW BUSINESSES AND JOB CREATION.
GLASGOW MP STILL WAITING FOR REPLY FROM LABOUR LORD,
The UK Government has been accused of not caring about small businesses in Glasgow after a local MP revealed he was still waiting for a reply from Lord Mandelson six months after writing to the Business Secretary about local concerns.
In February Glasgow East MP John Mason wrote to Business Secretary Lord Mandelson highlighting local business worries about the impact late payment of bills was having on their businesses – but despite chasing the Labour Minister for a response and receiving a parliamentary apology in June, Mr Mason is still waiting for a reply.
Mr Mason said:
“Small businesses in Glasgow face real challenges in the current climate, and it is disgraceful that the UK Business Secretary cannot be bothered to respond to the problems faced by local employers.
“Not only is Lord Mandelson unaccountable to MPs in the Commons, but he won’t even reply to letters from members of Parliament – maybe he is just too grand to care about business worries in Glasgow.
“Lord Mandelson’s shameful disregard for business issues in Glasgow underlines the way Labour is taking the city for granted – ignoring local business concerns for six months just as they are denying residents in Glasgow North East the chance to elect a new MP until the winter
“Thank goodness we have a Scottish Government that is doing everything in its power to help Glasgow through these tough economic times – including helping small businesses but cutting business rates.”
1. Mr Mason wrote to Lord Mandelson on 20th February 2009 following discussions with small businesses in his constituency – the MP wrote highlighting a number of concerns that had been raised with him, including issues about cashflow and the late payment of bills.
2. Between February and now Mr Mason has written on a monthly basis to Lord Mandelson chasing a reply – and received an apology from a junior Minister in Lord Mandelson’s department – however the MP is still waiting for a response:
John Mason: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when the Secretary of State plans to respond to the letter of 20 February 2009 from the hon. Member for Glasgow East on the difficulties encountered by small businesses in Glasgow. [275151]
Ian Pearson: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding, this is unacceptable and the hon. Member will receive a response from the relevant Minister shortly.
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