Gideon Amos seeks the true cost of high street survival

Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, is asking businesses across the constituency to complete a survey on their costs and challenges.

Gideon says he is gathering “clear, factual evidence” to make the strongest case he can for more Government support.

In a letter to businesses, he writes: “Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy.

“To champion them, after being elected, I established a business advisory group, In2West, to inform my work in close alignment with Somerset Council and Taunton Town Council, advocating for inward investment and responding directly to issues raised by businesses.

"In Parliament, I have repeatedly challenged the Government on its approach to business costs – particularly higher employer National Insurance contributions, rising business rates and soaring energy bills.

“While the Government’s recent 20% discount to business rates for pubs – following sustained pressure from Liberal Democrat MPs and our Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP, is welcome – it does not go far enough. It is the hospitality sector as a whole which needs support.”

Gideon says that, in debates and meetings with Ministers, he has:

• challenged the Government’s failure to deliver promised business rates reductions;
• raised cases where business rates now exceed rent, making trading unsustainable;
• highlighted local businesses facing triple-digit percentage increases following revaluation;
• made the case for a better trade deal with the EU to reduce import/export costs;
• advocated for lower energy costs and a reduced VAT rate for retail, hospitality, and leisure; and
• raised concerns about rising employer National Insurance and wage costs.

Gideon adds: “Many local businesses tell me that, despite welcome increases in footfall in Taunton town centre, policy-driven increases in fixed costs mean turnover would have to rise substantially simply to stand still.”

He says responses to the survey “will help me challenge Government directly on the issues that matter to you and to argue for fairer support for local retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.”