Small businesses and entrepreneurs can galvanise our community and create much needed jobs. Most people actually work in small and medium sized companies.
So it's good to see one of the big banks doing something useful to cultivate this sector. I have been given details of Barclay's Take One Small Step local business competition. It offers nine regional prizes of £50,000 to existing or new businesses.
Applicants are being asked to submit their business ideas, and have the option of including a short video. The entries will be judged by a panel of entrepreneurs who will pick the finalists.
These can then canvas their region, raising awareness of their business and building support in the community which then chooses a winner. All finalists will receive a useful jump-start.
Their small business experts will be travelling nationwide, giving personal and free advice on business ideas, plans, and models.
Boosting Business on-line seminars are also available with many business tips and expert advice on any aspect of launching or expanding businesses, allowing terrific ideas to flourish.
Everyone deserves a chance to turn their idea into a dream. This scheme could really benefit many great small businesses across Blaydon and I am committed to doing all I can to help them for the sake of growth and jobs.
The deadline is 27 April. Details can be found at www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk
I also say that the banks and other financial institutions should contribute much more to the common good through taxation. For many years, I have advocated a tax on international currency speculation which runs into many billions every day.
The Robin Hood Tax campaign, backed by churches, unions, environmental and poverty groups, says that a tiny financial transactions tax of about 0.05% on stocks, bonds, foreign currency and derivatives could raise £250bn a year globally, or £20bn in the United Kingdom alone. Details of the campaign are at robinhoodtax.org where there is a splendid video by the actor Bill Nighy.
I was pleased to see that the European Parliament has backed the proposal. Agreeing such policies is too slow for my liking but it is moving steadily in the right direction. I shall keep pushing for it.
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |