Adrian Bailey MP recently quizzed Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform about the Government’s commitment to make Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs sensitive and flexible to the needs of small business during the credit crunch.

Highlighting local business concerns about the Government announcements for a sympathetic approach for small businesses not being met by local action, Adrian demanded a change in culture in a session of the Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Committee:

Adrian Bailey said:

‘Whilst I welcome the Inland Revenue opening a special helpline to assist small businesses I have evidence that this supportive approach is not being carried out at a local level. I am pleased that Lord Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, agreed to take this matter up with the Treasury following my questions.’

Notes to editors:

• Adrian Bailey is the Labour and Co-Operative member of Parliament for West Bromwich West. A Government Parliamentary Private Secretary from 2005 until 2007, Adrian has worked with the Department for Work and Pensions, the Ministry of Defence and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
•  He is currently a member of the Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Select Committee, the European Scrutiny Committee, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Building Societies and Financial Mutuals and Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Steel.