Keir Starmer has vowed to "pull up the shutters" for British entrepreneurs in an election offering to small businesses. Sir Keir is expected to criticise the Conservatives' record as he unveils measures like overhauling the business rates system to help high street shops compete with larger companies and stamping out late payment of invoices by forcing large businesses to report on their payment practices.
"Tina McKenzie, policy chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said it was "good to see late payment addressed by Labour" and eyes would now "turn towards its manifesto launch to see if the party takes a pro-small business approach". She said: "Our snap election poll shows that the majority of the UK's 5.5 million small business votes are up for grabs.