Caroline Lucas outlined Green Party policies to promote small businesses as the cornerstone of the economy, when she spoke at a candidates' hustings organised by the East Sussex Region of the Federation of Small Businesses at the Ambassador Hotel, Brighton last night.

"Greens have been championing small businesses for years and I welcome the opportunity to present our ideas in such an important forum," said Caroline.

"Among the comprehensive range of policies we are advocating is a simplification of PAYE and to merge National Insurance into income Tax.

"We will also reduce corporation tax to 20% for small firms, and increase it to 30% for large ones.

"We will promote green investment banks and concentrate on rebuilding the country's manufacturing base.

"We also want to amend planning laws to allow appropriate small businesses to operate in residential areas and ensure all large new retail developments include spaces for small local businesses.

"Small businesses should be at the heart of our economic recovery, but they are severely hampered by red tape.

"We will offer help to cope with the regulations and provide tailored advice on energy efficiency.

"We'll also end the rules which make it difficult for those on benefit to take on part time work."

"This move will make more people available to work for small firms, and will help people into work.

"We're also proposing to create a million new jobs in environmental industries."

For more information please contact Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670.