A KEIGHLEY firm says the Government must do more to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Award-winning baby product company Bababing – which recently opened new premises in the town – has voiced a desire to expand further, but claims that decisions in Westminster are “stifling” growth for many businesses.
Concerns were discussed with Keighley Conservative MP Robbie Moore when he visited the firm’s Royd Ings Avenue site, and he pledged his backing for the business.
Sales director Jamie Robinson, who founded Bababing 20 years ago with brothers Nick and Ashley, says: “We really appreciate the time Robbie spent with us, listening to some of the challenges we face.
“SMEs need far more support than we’re currently getting from Government.
“We are keen to expand further and employ more staff, but the current economic environment and fiscal challenges we face – many of which were put upon us during the last Budget – have delayed our plans. I discussed with Robbie my frustration with the current Government and the Budget decisions, which are stifling growth for many businesses.”
He adds that more should be done to ensure large companies pay their “fair share” of tax.
“Many large corporations have their head offices in other countries such as Luxembourg to avoid paying tax in the UK,” he says.
“It’s time to do things differently and change the rules for these corporations to make sure they are paying their fair share.”
Mr Moore says: “Jamie, Nick, Ashley and the whole team have worked incredibly hard to grow Bababing into a successful SME, especially in such a competitive and fast-changing marketplace.
“But it is clear the Government needs to do much more to help small businesses continue to grow further. The Government has claimed it is ‘going for growth’, but the reality is its policies are doing the opposite.”
A Government spokesperson told the Keighley News: “This Government is determined to back small businesses as part of our Plan for Change, which includes tackling the scourge of late payments and introducing a fairer business rates system which incentivises investment.
“The Chancellor announced a £25.6bn boost for the British Business Bank as part of the spending review and we will set out further support as part of the Small Business Strategy later this year.”
