TOMORROW Priti Patel, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, is visiting Weymouth College along with Richard Drax and the local Chambers of Commerce.

No doubt this event will turn into yet another mutual back-slapping about the supposed state of local business.

Outside the reality is very different. Local business people have told me that the small business climate has never been harsher.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the apparent rise in employment since 2008 is mostly down to a rise in self-employment. Yet, in the same period the average wage for the self-employed has fallen by 22%. The average weekly wage for the self-employed is now just £207 per week, while for those employed it is £498. Under the Tories, our small businesses are having to see their incomes topped-up by tax credits.

Labour wants to give an £800m tax break to smaller companies – because Labour is the party of small business.

If Labour wins the General Election we will reverse the hike in small business rates due in April 2015 and will also freeze the levy the following year.

Labour calculates this move will be worth an average £450 over two years to 1.5 million businesses, including shops, pubs and hi-tech start-ups, and up to £2,000 for some firms.

A visit by a very junior minister cannot hide the reality. This government has presided over a massive drop in living standards and our small businesses are suffering.

Labour believes our small businesses deserve above-subsistence wages – because we are the party of small business.

Simon Bowkett

Labour Parliamentary Candidate for South Dorset