Shepway Credit Crunch Business Survey launched by Neil Matthews

Liberal Democrat Campaigner Neil Matthews wants to see the real impact of the credit crunch and recession on businesses across Shepway. Neil is calling on local businesses to give their feedback on how the current economic climate is affecting them.

Neil has launched the Shepway Credit Crunch Business Survey at www.creditcrunchsurvey.org.uk and is asking all local businesses to complete the survey to give a full picture of the current situation being faced by real businesses across Shepway.

Neil, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Folkestone and Hythe, said:

"Over the past few months, it's clear that many businesses and people are getting seriously hurt by the recession. We're all seeing businesses scaling back and shops closing down across the area - as they are across the Country. I'm hearing of more and more people who have personally been made redundant or having their hours cut.

"I want to know the full scale of the impact here, and how local businesses feel things are likely to go over the next few months. I especially want to know what those businesses see as the priorities in terms of support from all levels - from banks to Shepway Council - to help them cope with the current position.

"The Lib Dems Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable has been pushing the Government to take action to support small businesses, and I will be sharing the overall results from our survey with him to lobby at the highest levels. Locally, I will use the results of this survey and the positive ideas it generates to lobby organisations like Shepway Council to take practical steps to support our local business base - now.

"If you are running or working in a business in the Shepway area, please complete the survey at www.creditcrunchsurvey.org.uk and ask colleagues in other businesses locally to do the same. The more responses we have, the better we can understand the full position of local businesses, and what help would make the biggest possible impact."