MP named as first Business Buddy

Debbie Abrahams: friend to small businesses

OLDHAM East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has been honoured for her work in helping small businesses.

The Labour MP picked up the first “Business Buddy” award from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for her work on the “Be Fair — Pay on Time” campaign, in which she chaired an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the issue of late payment of invoices.

The award also acknowledged her continued lobbying in Parliament for improvements for small businesses.

She said: “I’m really honoured to accept the first FSB Business Buddy award, and do so on behalf of everyone who has helped me with my Be Fair — Pay on Time campaign.

“The campaign was inspired by a Saddleworth constituent who told me how his small business was being squeezed by a huge, household name company that consistently paid him late.

“He couldn’t say anything or complain publicly because he feared losing the contract.

“I researched the issue and was shocked to hear just how common this problem is.”