Cameron, Clegg and Brown Fail to Impress UK SMEs

Mainstream Politicians Could Miss out on Small Business Votes as Owners Demand Cost Saving Initiatives From Budget

LONDON, March 23, 2010 - Nearly half of all UK small businesses believe that none of the
mainstream political parties represent their interests in Westminster,
research released today by Make It Cheaper, the business price comparison
service, reveals.

Worryingly for Gordon Brown, on the eve of Alistair Darling's
pre-election budget, the research found that the Prime Minister has the
support of less than a fifth of small firms.

With many feeling that times remain tough, 42% described their outlook
for the forthcoming financial year as depressing with no sign of their
business picking up; many are looking, understandably, for a little more
support to keep costs lower.

Jonathan Elliott, managing director, Make It Cheaper said: "UK Small
business owners are extremely disillusioned with this or any future
Government. Rhetoric from all political parties is failing to hide the lack
of sufficient help available to these businesses, the life blood of the
British economy, to reduce their cost base."

"On behalf of our customers we are challenging the Government to use this
Budget to show they are thinking about small businesses. With three out of
five saying they would implement better tax breaks if they were Prime
Minister, it is clear where small businesses feel the Government's focus
should be. This issue could be the difference between winning and losing the
general election."

    - The survey found that three out of five (60%) small business owners
      would make it their first priority to institute better tax breaks for
      small businesses if they were Prime Minister

    - Almost a quarter (24%) said they would lower the cost of employing
      people and 15% said they would pass a law to shorten payment terms

Jonathan Elliott continued: "After rent and wages, rates are the biggest
cost to a business and automatically getting the relief they are entitled to
would be extremely welcome. This cash injection could save many small
businesses from laying-off staff or closing down completely."

The research was conducted last week by independent research company
Redshift amongst 500 small businesses in the UK.

About Make It Cheaper

Established in 2007 and based in Central London, Make It
Cheaper (www.makeitcheaper.com) receives more utility price comparison
enquiries (2,000 a week) and arranges more new contracts (1,000 a week) than
any other business-only price comparison service. These enquiries include
those from the business customers of most of the major domestic price
comparison services as well as business membership organisations, charities
and trade associations. Acting on behalf of these customers with total
impartiality and without charge, Make It Cheaper offers cost savings across a
range of products including business electricity, business gas, insurance and
telecoms. The prices it offers are often better than could be found by going
direct to suppliers because of the volume of deals its negotiates.

Contact: Sarah Mayer or Neil Hallmark on +44(0)203-0434151 or
makeitcheaper@kaizo.net

COntact: Sarah Mayer or Neil Hallmark on +44(0)203-0434151 or makeitcheaper at kaizo.net