Press Release

Government fails small businesses in Queen's speech

20 November 2009

The NFRN is underwhelmed at the small pickings applicable to its members after the Government's Queen's Speech announcements on November 18.

As the organisation that represents community retailers, the NFRN`s main interest was in the Crime and Security Bill and welcomed, in principle, the government's pledge to bring forward legislation cracking down on parents of children who break anti social behaviour orders and tackling youth gang crimes.

National President Suleman Khonat said: "Our members long for our streets to become safer places, with crimes against the vulnerable falling, criminal and exploitative markets shut down and justice for victims and their families."

But he warned: "Despite nearly half a dozen new crime laws borne under this Labour Government in this millennium alone, more newsagents are threatened and killed than ever before. We must match any future intentions with the resources to enforce the law otherwise we shall simply just be adding another piece of legislation to the growing list."

And he added: "We would have liked to see more focus on the banks' treatment of microbusiness, business rate reduction, the reduction in retail regulation burdens and the stronger regulation of energy companies within the Queen's Speech. These are burning requirements that, cumulatively, would go towards sustaining and growing a vibrant small business sector."