Andrew Mitchell MP has met with Richard Attenbery from Sutton’s All Trades Network to listen to his concerns and discuss what steps the Government is taking to help small businesses in Sutton Coldfield. Mr Mitchell discussed the Government’s plans to reduce red tape and regulation for small businesses, an issue on which Mr Attenbery expressed specific concern. Also on the agenda was increasing access to finance for Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). Mr Mitchell explained that the Government plans to introduce credit easing for SMEs and further details on this will be announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 29 November. Talking about local economic growth Andrew highlighted the newly appointed Birmingham Local Enterprise Partnership and the Birmingham Enterprise Zone. These measures will shift power towards communities and the local businesses who really understand the barriers to growth in their areas. They will provide business rate discounts, new superfast broadband and a strong focus on manufacturing. Andrew Mitchell MP said, “I am regularly in touch with Sutton Coldfield businesses and will be passing Mr Attenbery’s views and concerns on to my Cabinet colleagues. “Encouragingly, figures for 2011 show that the costs of business regulation have been capped, with a gross reduction of over £3 billion. We are bringing about a complete culture change in Whitehall so that regulation is a last resort, not a first step. Progress is being made but there is much still to do; getting rid of the red tape and bureaucracy created by 13 years of Labour rule is a long and sometimes difficult process. “Ensuring that local businesses can access a wide range of sources of finance is essential if they are to invest and grow. The Government is working hard to create the conditions for strong, balanced and sustainable economic growth by ensuring the UK has competitive, dynamic and efficient credit markets.”