Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

Part of Bill Presented — Counsellors and Psychotherapists (Regulation) Bill – in the House of Commons at 4:59 pm on 16 July 2014.

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Photo of Simon Danczuk Simon Danczuk Labour, Rochdale 4:59, 16 July 2014

It is a pleasure to follow Sheryll Murray, who made some excellent points, particularly about the pub trade.

As many hon. Members will know, I am a small business owner myself, so I begin my speech by declaring an interest through Danczuk’s Deli in Rochdale. I extend an invitation to hon. Members to pay a visit whenever the opportunity arises. It is also important to say that today I was unanimously elected chairman of the all-party group on small shops—a position I am very pleased to be able to take up.

As a Member of Parliament and as a small business owner, I welcome this Bill. Before I discuss it in detail, I want to make a couple of brief but important points. First, we often talk about social mobility, but usually in relation to schools and university. It is my strong view that small business can be a very powerful tool for social mobility and vital in helping individuals to achieve their potential. That is worth remembering.