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Cameron urges bankruptcy support Cameron's business support plan
(about 1 hour later)
US-style bankruptcy protection should be introduced to protect firms at risk from the impact of the credit crunch, Conservative leader David Cameron says. US-style business protection laws should be introduced to protect firms at risk of going bust during the credit crunch, Tory leader David Cameron says.
A Tory government would adopt a British version of the chapter 11 scheme which gives businesses a "breathing space" to establish new funds and save jobs. A Conservative government would adopt a version of the chapter 11 scheme which gives businesses a "breathing space" to establish new funds and save jobs.
Mr Cameron says a "full blown plan for economic recovery" is needed.Mr Cameron says a "full blown plan for economic recovery" is needed.
Meanwhile, shadow chancellor George Osborne will say "fixing" society is integral to economic success. He would introduce a "fuel stabiliser", lowering tax when oil prices rise and help savers, home owners and families.
In a speech to business leaders, Mr Cameron is saying that those most in danger from a "struggling economy" must be helped - including employees. In a speech to the CBI, Mr Cameron said those most in danger from a "struggling economy" must be helped - including employees.
Cutting taxesCutting taxes
He argues that the credit crunch means more companies are finding it hard to get hold of the funds they need to survive - and are increasingly facing liquidation, leading to job losses.He argues that the credit crunch means more companies are finding it hard to get hold of the funds they need to survive - and are increasingly facing liquidation, leading to job losses.
"In America they have Chapter 11 which is a stay of execution," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."In America they have Chapter 11 which is a stay of execution," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
We ought to be taking action now, showing leadership now to try to save those jobs David CameronConservative leaderWe ought to be taking action now, showing leadership now to try to save those jobs David CameronConservative leader
"Instead of companies going straight into liquidation and having to lay off staff, they get a stay of execution and they can be restructured to try to save the business, to try to save the jobs."Instead of companies going straight into liquidation and having to lay off staff, they get a stay of execution and they can be restructured to try to save the business, to try to save the jobs.
"Now that doesn't actually cost taxpayers money, but at a time when we've got economic difficulty and at a time when companies may get into these sorts of problems, we ought to be taking action now, showing leadership now to try to save those jobs.""Now that doesn't actually cost taxpayers money, but at a time when we've got economic difficulty and at a time when companies may get into these sorts of problems, we ought to be taking action now, showing leadership now to try to save those jobs."
While Mr Cameron concedes that not all companies should be saved, he said "the least we should do" is to look at what other countries do to save jobs.While Mr Cameron concedes that not all companies should be saved, he said "the least we should do" is to look at what other countries do to save jobs.
"At this point in the economic cycle, what the government ought to be doing is cutting taxes, giving a fiscal stimulus to the economy," he said."At this point in the economic cycle, what the government ought to be doing is cutting taxes, giving a fiscal stimulus to the economy," he said.
But he argued that the government cannot do this because its borrowing is so high and it has spent all the money in the good times, leaving the "cupboard bare".But he argued that the government cannot do this because its borrowing is so high and it has spent all the money in the good times, leaving the "cupboard bare".
Welfare revolution Deposit protection
Every person turning to benefits should be giving an assessment of their needs and capabilities and offered help with finding a job, he said.
He urged the government to introduce legislation before the parliamentary recess to protect deposits of up to £50,000 per customer.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
And he said the Tories would reverse the government's plan to raise vehicle excise duty on the most polluting cars.
Instead it would introduce a "fair fuel stabiliser" which would cut tax on fuel when oil prices go up, but raise taxes when oil prices fall.
US companies filing for chapter 11 keep control of their assets and daily operations as negotiations continue in the bankruptcy court.US companies filing for chapter 11 keep control of their assets and daily operations as negotiations continue in the bankruptcy court.
The Conservative plans would allow courts to grant protection to a UK business that could not pay its debts, but had a good chance of restructuring successfully.The Conservative plans would allow courts to grant protection to a UK business that could not pay its debts, but had a good chance of restructuring successfully.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
The party says similar restructuring deals do take place in the UK, but without set rules can be very inefficient.The party says similar restructuring deals do take place in the UK, but without set rules can be very inefficient.
The proposals would not have applied to Northern Rock, they say, as financial institutions are regulated separately. The proposals would not have applied to Northern Rock, they say, as financial institutions are regulated separately. Meanwhile, in a separate speech later, shadow chancellor George Osborne will say "fixing" society is integral to economic success.
In a separate speech later, Mr Osborne will say that "fixing our broken society is integral to building a strong economy".
He will tell the Centre for Policy Studies the quality of British education has to improve so Britain can compete in "the age of the knowledge economy" and the Conservatives would aim to "bring about a revolution in our welfare system".He will tell the Centre for Policy Studies the quality of British education has to improve so Britain can compete in "the age of the knowledge economy" and the Conservatives would aim to "bring about a revolution in our welfare system".