Carlisle MP John Stevenson has been re-elected as chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Family Business.

The Parliamentary group was set up in 2011 to promote an understanding between the UK family business sector, MPs and members of the House of Lords.

Family firms make a significant economic contribution to the UK economy – 4.8 million businesses employ over 12 million people, generating a quarter of GDP and contributing nearly £150 billion in taxes annually.

Some 87 per cent of rural SMEs are family owned.

Discussion and research covers areas including the provision of housing, broadband and mobile coverage, access to people, training and skills, financing growth, business support services, regulation and compliance.

Mr Stevenson said: ‘I am delighted to be re-elected. Family firms play a huge role in both our economy and their local communities, and have a particularly important part to play as we recover post-pandemic.

“I am keen that family businesses continue to engage with Parliament and Government to ensure that there is an awareness of the very real issues family businesses face so that support and legislation can be facilitated that specifically assists and recognises the contribution of family businesses throughout Britain.

“Here in Carlisle we have a number of family run businesses across a number of different sectors.

“These businesses make a great contribution to our local economy and also to our community. I am pleased to raise their contribution in Parliament.”

Article credit to Cumbria Crack.