After meeting with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Parliament recently, I am pleased to give them my support for their campaign to help small businesses in Birmingham.

I joined them at the launch of their Election Manifesto in Parliament last week, and at their annual dinner. The FSB's plans to promote self employment has my fully support and after the success of the Enterprise Allowance Scheme I think a new version would be very welcome.

I would also support plans to make it easier to recruit apprentices, particularly for small organisations. Apprentices are extremely valuable, both for an employer and the individual and I think it's vital that the government continues to support this. I will do all I can to make sure that is the case.

I am also calling on the government to include a 'social clause' in the late payments directive which would ensure that large businesses pay smaller suppliers and sub-contractors within 30 days. I also want more to be done to ensure that small businesses are also involved with public procurement programmes, and investment in low-carbon innovation should target small businesses.

I was really pleased to get together with the FSB to discuss our common interests like jobs for the future: these issues are our issues. Small businesses will be the drivers of our future economy and I'm committed to supporting them wherever I can.

For more information on the FSB's Election Manifesto, visit http://www.fsb.org.uk/