THREE years into a Labour administration, Britain's small businesses are crying out for help.

The British Chamber of Commerce has calculated that increased regulation since May 1997 has cost firms more than £10bn.

Just like all previous Labour Goverments, this one neither understands, nor cares about the needs of small businesses.

This increased red tape threatens the future prosperity of the British economy.

Small businesses form the backbone of Britain's economy, for 95 per cent of firms in this country employ less than ten people. These risk-takers need to be encouraged, not endangered.

The Conservative Party has been listening to the needs of small businesses.

Nothing would help them to grow faster than removing the hundreds of petty rules and regulations which are strangling the creative talents of the entrepreneurs who run them.

We appreciate that it is businesses and not Governments which create jobs. Our common sense proposals will get the Government off the back of small businesses and allow them to flourish.

Steve Barclay,

Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate

for Lancaster & Wyre