* Create the most competitive tax system in the G20. The Government has cut the main rate of corporation tax to 26 per cent from April 2011 and 23 per cent from April 2014, and the small profits rate to 20 per cent. There will be new rules to allow groups based in the UK to compete more effectively overseas alongside simplification of the tax system.
• Make the UK the best place in Europe to start, finance and grow a business. The Government is tackling the burden of unnecessary red tape, streamlining the planning system, extending the small business rate relief holiday for a year, increasing the rate of R&D tax credit for small firms and the lifetime limit for Entrepreneurs Relief, and protecting the science budget.
• Encourage investment and exports as a route to a more balanced economy. Ministers are banging the drum for British trade, a new Export Enterprise Finance Guarantee will support exporters and the Green Investment Bank will drive investment in green infrastructure and jobs.
• Create a more educated workforce that is the most flexible in Europe. That is why the Government is funding an extra 80,000 work experience places, 50,000 more apprenticeship places and establishing at least 24 new university technical colleges.
Mr Halfon said: "We are making real progress but there is much still to do; getting rid of the red tape and bureaucracy created by 13 years of Labour rule will take time."
How the Government's proposals can benefit Harlow and local people:
Support for Small Businesses
* The Government is dropping proposals for hundreds of new regulations that would have cost businesses £350 million this year. Start-ups are now exempt from new domestic regulation for three years. There will be major reforms to all health and safety laws following a review commissioned by the Government.
* Enterprise Zones 21 Zones across the country will have tax breaks and easier planning rules. Robert Halfon has already asked the Government to consider Harlow in one of these Zones. Also LEPs in the East of England will be able to bid to host a zone to encourage growth in the East of England.
Taxation
*Raising the Income Tax threshold will give Harlow workers on low and middle incomes an extra £8 million in their pockets every single year, help 2.5 million people in the east of England and take 25,000 workers in our region out of tax all together. On top of this the Government is cutting Income Tax even further in 2012.
Fuel Duty
* The Government has scrapped Labour’s planned fuel rises completely. No rise in duty, instead it has been cut by 1p and a fuel duty stabiliser introduced for when prices are high. This will save Harlow motorists at least £750,000 this year at the pump and ease the burden on businesses.
Corporation Tax reduction
* Cutting profits tax to 26p for large firms, and 20p for small firms. Taxes will be cut further to 23 per cent for large firms by 2014 to create the most competitive tax system in the G20. This will ensure that Britain is always the place to do business.
Business rate relief
* Extending the Small Business Rate-Relief Holiday for another year so it remains doubled until the end of 2012. This will save over 900 small firms in Harlow £1,500 each this year.
Simplify the Tax system
* The Government is abolishing 43 complex reliefs and allowances to create an easier system for businesses.
Apprenticeships and Training
* The Apprenticeships Budget announced an extra 250,000 apprenticeships over the next four years. Already apprenticeships in Essex have risen by 44% this year and Mr Halfon has asked the Government to roll out the pioneering Essex Apprenticeship scheme across the country. This scheme is the first of its kind, creating an extra 1,500 apprenticeships in Essex last year, including his own apprentice who works in his House of Commons office.
Work Experience places
* The Government is investing £300 million to create 100,000 work experience places for young people, in real private sector jobs. This will educate and improve the lives of 8,000 young people in the east of England.
University Technical Schools
* An extra 24 new University Technical Schools will be created. Mr Halfon discussed the issue when he visited Harlow College with Lord Baker. He has also raised the matter directly with the Prime Minister, and the Education Secretary will be visiting the college to see the great potential it has.
Accommodation
Art and Entertainment
Automotive
Beauty
Charities
Community Clubs
Education
Estate Agents
Fastfood
Health and Medical
Heritage and Attractions
Leisure and Fitness
Local Services
Nightlife
Pets
Professional Services
Public Services and Government
Pubs And Bars
Religious Organisation
Restaurants
Shopping
Sports Clubs
Tradesman
Travel
Join us on
Facebook