Conservative message on financing SMEs is getting through
Posted,5/2/2013 4:00:00 PM
Anthea McIntyre MEP today welcomed a "useful step forward" in her drive to get better access to finance for small businesses. The Conservative MEP for the West Midlands was speaking after the European Commission and European Investment Bank (EIB) jointly published a report on ways to tackle the problem. (Commission press release: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-387_en.htm?locale=en) The paper closely mirrors key elements of a report which Miss McIntyre herself drafted and saw through the European Parliament. Adopted in November, her report highlighted what she believes is a major barrier to growth and job-creation. (McIntyre press release: http://www.conservativeeurope.com//news/1791/conservatives-in-call-to-let-smes-flourish---.aspx) Today´s report unveiled a "new generation" of financial instruments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Financial resources for SMEs will be significantly enhanced through a €10 billion increase in the EIB’s capital. European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, responsible for enterprise and industry policy, also today also launched a new single online portal on all EU financial instruments for SMEs as well an information guide to promote SME stock listings. The opportunities for "one-stop shops" and online portals to to make investment funding more-easily available to SMEs formed a major platform of the McIntyre report. It said: "Developing e-government and one stop shops could permit SMEs to spend less time on administrative procedures and gain new business opportunities...Access to procurement markets can assist SMEs to unlock their potential for job creation and growth." As Conservative employment spokesman in the Parliament, Miss McIntyre has consistently pressed for moves to open up better access to loans for SMEs. She fears that as funding for business development has dried up in the downturn, SMEs have suffered the most and have effectively been stifled when they should be the foremost driver for growth and job-creation. Today she said "I am convinced that if they are given open, easily-understood and fair access to finance, SMEs can be the key to kick-starting recovery. But this will take political will, and that is why I have been shouting about this issue long and loud. "The fact that the commission and the EIB seem to be taking notice looks encouraging. There is still a long way to go to turn these promises into reality, but this is a very useful step forward. "It is a prime example of what the EU should be doing to add value and help business, instead of creating evermore legislation and red tape to stifle enterprise."
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Commission must heed this cry for help from small businesses
Posted,3/7/2013 3:00:00 PM
The EU must offermore than warm words to address the deep concerns of small businesses overBrussels red tape, Conservative MEPs cautioned today. The warning came asthe EU Commission published a "top ten" list of EU regulations which cause thegreatest problems for SMEs. The list was drawn from a Europe-wide consultationprocess begun in December last year - which several Conservative MEPs urgedtheir local businesses to take part in. Predictably, thelist includes unwanted social legislation such as the Working Time Directive andlabour-market regulation, as well as rules on data protection, publicprocurement and professional qualifications. Anthea McIntyre,Conservative employment spokesman in the European Parliament, said:"Conservative MEPs who are constantly hearing the concerns of small businessescould have written this list for them before the consultationbegan. "Now Commissionershave been sent a direct message and they must offer more than warm words inresponse. "They haveat least had the courage to go directly to SMEs and ask the toughquestions about their concerns. Now they must show they can pay heed to thetough answers. "They have been senta cry for help. If they are serious about unleashing the economic power ofentrepreneurs and smaller traders they must now work with them to reduce thisregulatory burden. "What smallbusinesses really want is for the bureaucrats to get out of their way and letthem get on with what they do best - driving enterprise, launching fresh ideasand creating jobs."
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Labour's bid to stifle charity with EU red tape
Posted,2/6/2013 2:00:00 PM
Conservative MEPs today opposed a bid by the Labour Party to create European regulation which would control the way businesses help good causes and local charities.
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Conservatives condemn "socialist wish list" of redundancy rules
Posted,1/15/2013 2:00:00 PM
A raft of proposals which would make it much harder for companies to restructure their operations in difficult times has been adopted by the European Parliament today (Tues) in the face of resolute opposition from Conservative MEPs. The report from the parliament's Employment Committee recommends new rules which would require any company with more than 100 staff go through a lengthy and complicated process before any restructuring - and would even make the firm responsible for retraining employees facing redundancy. Conservative employment spokesman Anthea McIntyre has consistently opposed the proposals as a "socialist wish list" which would destroy the ability of struggling companies to stay afloat. She believes the proposed rules would leave them hamstrung at the very time they need to move promptly and effectively to restructure and save their businesses. After today's vote in Strasbourg she said: "It is a disappointment that a majority of MEPs have chosen to back proposals which are unrealistic, impractical and self-defeating. These measures would not save a single job but could instead push struggling companies into collapse. According to the proposals the legislation would become applicable if restructuring operations would affect at least 100 employees in a single company or 500 employees in a company and its dependent companies in one or more member states over a period of three months. As “dependent companies” could include any sub-contractor or supplier the proposal would lead to a very high degree of legal uncertainty for almost any employer in Europe.
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Welcome for entrepreneur report - but prioritise slashing red-tape, says McIntyre
Posted,1/9/2013 5:00:00 PM
Entrepreneurs will flourish given freedom from red tape - not through wishful thinking or bureaucratic diktat, a Conservative MEP warned today.
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