PRESS RELEASE

CITY GETS SUPER-CONNECTED!

Digital boost: Brighton hosts small business election hustings on day it becomes ‘super-connected’

Team effort: Caroline Lucas spearheaded ultrafast broadband bid with key backing from local MPs, business community and Argus newspaper

Caroline was Parliamentary Champion of Federation of Small Businesses, says: Small businesses and pubs are ‘lifeblood’ of city – ‘we rank 4th in UK for start-ups, and can do so much more still’
 

BRIGHTON will host its small business general election hustings tonight – on the same day the city becomes super-connected.

The council today announced the launch of ultrafast broadband in public buildings, a result of the successful ‘Let Brighton Bid’ campaign.

As Brighton Pavilion MP, Caroline spearheaded the campaign, which saw the city selected to become ‘super-connected’ as part of a £50m government scheme.

When the Government announced that its Super-Connected Cities initiative would only be open to larger cities, Caroline launched Let Brighton Bid and – with great team backing from local MPs, business leaders and the Brighton Argus – the city was able to bid, and win, a 3m slice of the £50m ultrafast broadband fund.

Tonight, local businesspeople will gather for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) hustings, where Parliamentary candidates will be quizzed on issues from business rates to broadband, apprenticeships to advice services and encouraging female entrepreneurs.

Caroline, an FSB Parliamentary Champion while MP,  supports the #ibacksmallbusiness campaign and was recently endorsed, in a personal capacity, by local business leader Julia Chanteray.

The Pavilion candidate, who also helped secure an extension to the Government’s small business rates relief scheme, and has championed the rights of local businesses and pubs in Parliament, will highlight her track record** and outline what more needs to be done.

Brighton and Hove has become a UK top-five for small and medium business start-ups, and home to an innovative digital and creative industry with a global reach and reputation. In 2013, Brighton creative company Propellernet was voted the UK’s best small business workplace.

But more needs to be done to protect the rights and interests of our precious local businesses, says Caroline.  

Caroline said: “The vast majority of businesses in the city are small or micro-level. They’re the backbone of our local economy and the lifeblood of our city. They’re integral to the health, wellbeing and economic stability of our local communities. And their contribution to the city stretches far beyond the local economy – not only do they form a strong part of our local identity, an increasing number have a global reach and reputation.

“They’re invested in our community – and our community and country needs to be invested in them, in protecting their rights, and ensuring they get a better, fairer deal.”

She added: “As MP, I championed our local businesses and brought the eyes of Westminster to the city – if re-elected, I’ll continue to fight your corner at every turn.”

ENDS

Notes

** Among other things, Caroline has also called to reduce VAT on tourism, and for support for apprenticeships.  She won the commitment from energy suppliers to give small businesses the choice to opt out of contracts each year and has argued we need a complete ban on energy rollover contracts. She has vocally supported the Save the Rose Hill Tavern campaign. She also voted to get a new clause into the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill – one that would protect local pubs, allowing pub tenants to buy beer on the open market and ensuring fair rents, independently assessed (they won - by just 15 votes).

Tonight’s hustings is organised by the Brighton & Hove Federation of Small Businesses: 6pm, Stanmer House, Stanmer Park, Brighton