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Jim Cunningham MP awarded FSB Small Business Friendly Award 2009

16 March 2010

Jim Cunningham, MP for Coventry South, was announced as the winner of the FSB Small Business Friendly Award 2009 on Friday 12th March 2010.

The award is designed to recognise and celebrate those MPs who have championed the concerns and interests of small businesses. Jim Cunningham MP was judged as a winner as he has spoken about this subject more than any other Coventry and Warwickshire MP in 2009, and dedicated more parliamentary speeches and questions to this subject.

Jim Cunningham MP commented:

"It is so important to protect and support the small businesses in our area, the lifeblood of our economy. I am flattered to be given this award.

"I have raised this subject again and again with the government, most recently during my Westminster Hall debate regarding the economy in Coventry and the West Midlands. I frequently talk to small and medium sized business owners in my constituency and have seen first-hand the struggle they have endured over the past few years.

"The government is offering real help to businesses and communities across the city with a range of measures to ease the effects of the credit crunch, for example the extension of the Time To Pay Scheme, which allows businesses to spread their tax payments, and has helped businesses in the West Midlands spread more than £3 billion of taxes, or the extension of empty property rate relief which will benefit approximately 76% of properties in our area.

"However, there is still a great deal more to be done, particularly in increasing bank lending to small businesses. The West Midlands is known for its innovation and high skill level, and I am determined to do everything I can to help as many businesses and families in Coventry battle the recession successfully."