Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell says small businesses are forming Labour’s business policy

Labour’s Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has told a national conference of small businesses in Glasgow they have had a direct impact on the party’s policy development.

Speaking to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Conference in Glasgow today, McDonnell said the FSB manifesto had been adopted by Labour.

Reform of tax and public procurement would boost productivity, he told the 1,200 delegates.

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“FSB is the most effective lobbing organisation I have ever come across in my time in politics. They are cross party and you only need to look at the Budget to see how effective they are. I have been looking through the FSB manifesto and we have virtually adopted it word for word in our business policy,” he said.

FSB National Policy Director Mike Cherry said: “Smaller businesses from Croydon to Caithness will be pleased to hear about the Opposition’s renewed commitment to smaller businesses, and that he’s clearly looking to incorporate our manifesto asks into future policy.

“We’re heartened to hear about the Shadow Chancellor’s determination to address digital infrastructure and to put smaller businesses on a level tax playing field with their multinational competition. We will absolutely take him up on his offer to work with him to develop his party’s business and economic policy.”

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed conference earlier, announcing former chairman of RBS in Scotland Ken Barclay is to lead a review of Scottish business rates.

The FSB have released a quarterly survey showing a majority of small Scottish firms expect business conditions to worsen, the most pessimistic forecast since 2013.