Business rates petition handed to 10 Downing Street

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities.

But hundreds of Hackney's small and independent shops will be put at risk of closure by the Government's plans to hike business rates. This is the biggest onslaught on small businesses that I have seen in my lifetime.

The Prime Minister and the Chancellor must listen and work with businesses.

I was joined by Hackney Mayor Philip Glanville, Tower Hamlets Mayor John Biggs and East End Trades handing in the 10,000 strong signatures calling on the Government to halt the business rates hike.