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Finance Bill

I completely agree. An important point that emerged in our debate on the headline corporation tax rate concerned its importance as a signal of the country's competitiveness. In this case, we are giving out a signal about the importance of a very vulnerable sector, which lives on the margins, as my hon. Friend has described so well. I, too, meet representatives from many businesses in a similar situation in my constituency and as I go around the country. I have never been in despair about the business, but I know that one has to deal with many things as part of running a business while yet more tasks are piled on top. The lack of recognition and appreciation of the role played by small businesses in the economy bites into one's enthusiasm and energy. The amendment sends a powerful signal to a business sector on which we all rely.