I am writing to you ahead of today’s Budget to tell you about the family-run businesses in Kingswinford and South Staffordshire confronting an incredibly bleak future after being dealt devasting blow after blow by this Labour Government.
The businesses that I am talking about are not multinational corporations turning over millions of pounds in profit each year, but rather, the family-owned kitchen fitters, the much-loved independent Garden Centre and your local pub.
They are the cornerstones of our communities, run and staffed by hardworking local people who have spent their entire working lives paying into the system and playing by the rules. A system which is now failing and worse, punishing my residents for their entrepreneurship. I am deeply concerned that today’s Budget will result in the very real possibility of forcing local businesses to make cuts to their staffing levels, leaving more people in Kingswinford & South Staffordshire unemployed.
I recently visited Contessa Kitchens, which has been a steady presence in Wordsley for 39 years. Owner Maureen told me how the business had been busy until recently, which they had put down to people being unable to afford to move property or invest in upgrading their homes. It’s a quieter, but telling, example of how Labour’s policies have left people feeling poorer, indirectly hitting family businesses on our high street.
Another striking example is Ashwood Nurseries in Kingswinford. This is a well-loved local business that has served our community for decades. I recently met with owner John Massey, who told me that because of last year’s National Insurance hike, they’re now paying an additional £55,000 in increased bills.
I find this figure staggering. It isn’t just a line in a spreadsheet; it’s the cost of employing additional members of staff and supporting a family, and for Ashwood Nurseries, £55,000 is the difference between stability and uncertainty.
Sadly, these stories are far from unique. Across the country, businesses in hospitality, retail and other community-focused sectors are closing their doors at an alarming rate. Since the last Budget alone, 1,100 pubs and restaurants have shut down, with each closure affecting far more than just the owners. These businesses provide jobs for local people and keep our high streets alive. Their loss will continue to weaken the social and economic fabric of entire communities.
After Rachel Reeves has delivered her Budget, and told you that she’s ‘going for growth’ - I’d like you to ask yourself one question: Do you feel better off than you did just one year ago?
