[ad_1]
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt described Cambridge’s small businesses as ‘the future of the world’ during a visit to the city on Thursday (November 30). Marking ‘small business Saturday’ on December 2, Mr Hunt was hosted by Maurizio Dining & Co – an independent Italian restaurant on Mill Road.
The Chancellor said: “The high street has got challenges all over the country because we have all started buying things on Amazon and on the internet. So, what we want to do is to help the high street adapt for the new world we live in – which is going to mean different types of outlets.
“The government said in the Autumn Statement that we were going to reduce business rates for high street shops by 75 percent next year. That’s a massive discount in the tax they pay, and it will give them the chance to adapt and evolve so that we can have thriving high streets, which is what we really want.”
Read more: Michael Gove ‘in a hurry’ to ‘push ahead’ with Cambridge 2040 plans
Read more: Here’s how Cambridgeshire is projected to vote at next election – with potential Labour gains
‘One of the most beautiful cities in the world’
A poll of 528 councillors published by the New Statesman this month found that 51 percent of Conservative councillors described their high streets as ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ – and 62.2 percent of this group said they had worsened since 2010, when their party came into government.
Out of the entire group of councillors polled, 55.5 percent described their high streets as ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ and 70.1 percent said they had worsened since 2010.
Mr Hunt continued: “I think people want high streets to be a destination where they can find nice things to buy but also sit down and have a nice cup of coffee – and maybe come to a lovely restaurant like this pizza restaurant that we’re in, which is a fantastic small business.
“I know every big business was a small business once, and so we need to nurture small businesses and support them. One million have been created since 2010 and we would like another million and a million after that.
“What’s exciting about Cambridge is that the small businesses you have here in life sciences and technology – they aren’t just the future of the country, they’re the future of the world, because they are transforming the way we live.
“That’s why, in the Autumn Statement, I gave special attention to Cambridge. Because it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world, there’s a lot of pressure to build more houses here.
“I want to make sure that’s done in a way that’s sustainable and that works and advances the local community, so that’s what we put some money towards in the Autumn Statement.”
Affordable housing needs in Cambridge
The Autumn Statement states: “Funding will accelerate the delivery of new, high-quality housing in Cambridge, Leeds and London.” The Chancellor’s colleague in the cabinet, Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove, discussed house building in Cambridge during a visit to the city earlier in November.
Mr Gove said he was ‘in a hurry’ to ‘push ahead’ with Cambridge 2040 plans – to build up to 250,000 houses, according to a report in the Sunday Times, alongside business parks, laboratories and science hubs. However, homelessness charity Cambridge Cyrenians has questioned how far Cambridge 2040 will support local people who need affordable homes.
Asked about whether any of the new properties will be affordable, the Chancellor said: “I think that is all going to be part of those plans. What I would say is that every development that is going to be successful needs to have a mix, because it has got to serve all different parts of the community.
“What we are trying to do is create the wealth and prosperity that will allow a town like Cambridge to thrive. And that means supporting all the brilliant people who live in Cambridge who want to set up a business that’s going to change the world – to support them to take things forward and go from strength to strength.”
‘Small business Saturday’ in the UK is a campaign to showcase small businesses and encourage people to shop locally. It takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, and is funded by American Express and BT.
[ad_2]
Source link