AS THE general elections is almost upon us, The Chelmsford Weekly News spoke to business owners in Chelmsford to find out what they think the big issues.

Candidates who are hoping to win votes in the city will be relying on the business leaders when the polls open in just a number of days.

Some of the parties have announced their pledges that they wish to put into place if they are elected, including plans for the economy and taxation.

The Conservatives are planning to achieve a balanced budget by 2025, rule out increases to VAT, stick with current plans to raise personal tax allowances and cut corporation tax as well as hold reviews the business rates system.

Labour has promised no increases in personal National Insurance or VAT and also plans to reintroduce a 50p tax rate and raise income tax for those who earn over £80,000.

The Labour party has also released plans to raise corporation tax rates to 26 per cent by 2020/21 in its manifesto.

The Liberal Democrats have announced they would add 1p onto each rate of income tax and ring-fence the money for NHS and social care.

The Lib Dem official manifesto also includes details about its plans to borrow £100billion to invest in the country’s infrastructure, including housebuilding, broadband, schools, hospitals and transport.

The Liberal Democrat party is also promising to reverse some planned cuts to corporation tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax, if they win the votes at the polls.

Ukip has yet to unveil an official manifesto for the general election but has unveiled a local manifesto on its website which includes plans to reduce tax and business costs to stimulate the economy.

The parties manifesto also include plans to make it easier for small and local businesses to get and afford local authority contracts.

Businesses in the city said they are looking for support from a winning party in terms of manageable rated and costs that support business growth.

Andrew Jay is Group Managing Director of the Anderson Group – a £70m turnover construction and housing development company in Chelmsford employing 500 people with 30 years trading experience.

Mr Jay said: “To continue to run our business successfully we require a stable and predictable economic backdrop. For our very specifically focussed business, the winning party needs to focus on the desperate housing shortage through better communication about why housing is needed and to put the support in place to allow investment in housing, construction, training and growth.”

John Martin, Senior Designer and Director at Regal Kitchens, a multi award winning kitchen company, in Chelmsford, with the ethos of the Client is King Ethos.

Mr Martin said: “This election is particularly concerning for small local businesses, for although the Tories sell themselves as the party of low taxation, we have seen 14 per cent increase in VAT. Other costs such as high rates of National Insurance, the additional NEST pension contribution, increased Insurance tax, business rates also hit business hard. I predict that the Conservatives will retain power, not because we have so much faith in them but because we have even less the others.”

Rebekah Prince who runs owns her own company, Prince’s Consultancy Services Ltd, she is a quality assurance and health and safety specialist.

She said: “Currently I do not know who to vote for. I am steering towards Conservative due to the vague statements listed by the Labour Party. However I disagree strongly with some of their policies on a personal level but agree on a business level.

Conservatives state that by 2020 corporation tax will be at its lowest 17 per cent if they are voted in. Whilst they also state regular reviews will be carried out on business rates which does not reassure me that rates will not increase.”