Here's some facts; - There are 5.6 million small businesses in the UK. - SMEs account for 99.9% of the business population. - Total employment in SMEs is 16.7 million (61% of the total), - Annual turnover from SMEs is estimated at £2.4 trillion. - 90% of new businesses fail, often resulting in the founders losing all their life savings. - Small/medium businesses are the heart and soul of the British economy. Starting and growing a business takes guts, resilience, and ambition—and it needs to be supported for the economy to thrive. Global corporations employ armies of accountants to minimise or eliminate their taxes. Small businesses don’t have the luxury or budget for that; frankly, most don’t want to. They’re happy to pay their fair share but draw the line when they believe they’re taken advantage of. A vibrant, flourishing economy that's supportive of business will generate far more tax revenue than one that crushes the British entrepreneurial spirit. I truly hope that Rachel Reeves will see sense next week.