Over the past five years, I have been contacted by many entrepreneurs based across Merton and Wandsworth who run small, medium and large businesses. Sadly they are facing real hardship in the face of Brexit, changing local demands and now the COVID-19 pandemic.

I’m committed to supporting local businesses particularly small businesses which are the heart and soul of so many of our communities. That’s why I’m proud to have lead Small Business Saturday initiatives across Merton and Wandsworth alongside hundreds of community activists over the past four years Each year we’ve come back bigger and better than before but unfortunately, many are businesses are falling through cracks exposed in various Government schemes or are struggling to access the Business Interruption Loans, Business Rates Relief or support grants.

If elected for a second term as your assembly member I will continue to work closely with Merton and Wandsworth Councils to ensure that businesses across both boroughs have the support and advice they need whilst also lobbying the Government to make changes to current policies to ensure that no business, no matter its size, is forced to close permanently due to the current crisis.

So please let me know the main challenges that you are facing as a local business and I will compile this information and lobby the Government for changes on your behalf.