Political parties playing politics with small businesses 'must stop', says self-employment body

By Daniel Hunter

The body that represents self-employed people has called for political parties to stop playing politics with small businesses ahead of the general election.

The calls from IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed, come after the Scottish National Party (SNP) said it had dropped calls to cut corporation tax.

The SNP’s flagship policy, calling for a cut of up to 3% in corporation tax, was originally used to show that the party is business-friendly. However, IPSE has said dropping the policy ahead of May’s general election shows that political parties are creating added uncertainty for small businesses.

Andrew Chamberlain, Deputy Director of Policy and External Affairs at IPSE, said: “The announcement to drop calls to cut corporation tax for businesses in Scotland shows political parties are playing politics with small businesses, which is adding unnecessary uncertainty.

“The UK’s smallest businesses are being used as a way for parties to try and win votes in the election, but they are forgetting that these policies affect people’s livelihoods across the country. There is already uncertainty for business around the outcome of the general election and instead of simply playing politics, Parties must create and commit to policies that will give small businesses the support they need to flourish.”