Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond has promised to bring up corporation tax rates for small businesses with the government after she visited a Fishers Pond embroidery business.
Flick met up with the director of Swift UK Keith Howells to tour the factory and see the work it undertakes.
Swift – based on Portsmouth Road - embroider logos and slogans onto tops, fleeces and towels for international brands like Henri Lloyd and BAR but also local firms such as Silverlake.
The company’s nine staff can make between 2000 and 2,500 items per day on its automated sewing machines with no job too small.
It offers a complete service to include supply of garments, assistance with logo design, digitising the design and decorating the garments, all of which is done in-house.
Flick and Keith discussed the business climate, cost pressures and corporation tax
“Keith told me it was concerned about the tapered corporation tax increase of 19-25% and asked me to talk to the Treasury about whether this increase could be scrapped or amended for small businesses like them,” said Flick.
“I have raised concerns about corporation tax previously and I still share concerns that many small businesses could be dealing with a disproportionate rise in this tax that could harm investment. I said I was happy to bring it up with ministers when parliament returns.
“It is important the government knows what successful companies like Swift are thinking and about the concerns they have. I am happy to advocate for them.
“Thank you to Keith for showing me around. It was good to meet this staff who have all been there for many years, including one who is 80.”
