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30/01/2004
Chancellor agrees to meet Beggs over insurance costs
Chancellor Gordon Brown has agreed to meet a delegation led by UUP MP Roy Beggs to discuss how Northern Ireland's small businesses can be better protected from crippling costs of public liability insurance.
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday the Ulster Unionist Chief Whip said: "We in Northern Ireland are enjoying the lowest levels of unemployment and the highest levels of employment in my lifetime. However, I plead with you to take account of the high costs of public liability insurance, which is crippling small businesses in Northern Ireland."
Mr Beggs asked: "Will you bear in mind the fact that success in creating employment in Northern Ireland is largely in the hands of small employers, many of whom cannot afford to pay the huge insurance costs that have been asked for and have simply sold off their businesses, making many people unemployed?"
In his reply Mr Brown said that the Government was "concerned about the issue of employers' liability insurance.
"It has been raised with the Treasury, and the Financial Secretary has had discussions with business. If you wish to lead a delegation to the Treasury to go through the issues again, we are prepared to listen to your representations."
(SP)
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday the Ulster Unionist Chief Whip said: "We in Northern Ireland are enjoying the lowest levels of unemployment and the highest levels of employment in my lifetime. However, I plead with you to take account of the high costs of public liability insurance, which is crippling small businesses in Northern Ireland."
Mr Beggs asked: "Will you bear in mind the fact that success in creating employment in Northern Ireland is largely in the hands of small employers, many of whom cannot afford to pay the huge insurance costs that have been asked for and have simply sold off their businesses, making many people unemployed?"
In his reply Mr Brown said that the Government was "concerned about the issue of employers' liability insurance.
"It has been raised with the Treasury, and the Financial Secretary has had discussions with business. If you wish to lead a delegation to the Treasury to go through the issues again, we are prepared to listen to your representations."
(SP)
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FSB jobs warning over insurance premiums
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned that up to a 1,000 local jobs could be lost if high insurance premiums are not reduced. At the launch of the FSB's report in the Stormont Assembly today, it was revealed that of the 375 businesses surveyed (each averaging 15 employees), 17% said they would close unless the situation is resolved.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
