This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7506593.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Cameron's business support plan Firms need protection - Cameron
(about 3 hours later)
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. David Cameron has called for US-style protection laws for firms at risk of going bust - but also said he could not rule out tax rises in the future.
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. The Conservatives would adopt a version of the chapter 11 scheme which gives businesses a "breathing space" to establish funds and save jobs, he said.
Mr Cameron says a "full blown plan for economic recovery" is needed. Mr Cameron said a "full-blown plan" was needed to cope with the credit crunch.
He would introduce a "fuel stabiliser", lowering tax when oil prices rise and help savers, home owners and families. He also said he "hoped" his party would not have to raise taxes but had to "safeguard the public finances".
In a speech to the CBI, Mr Cameron said those most in danger from a "struggling economy" must be helped - including employees. 'Struggling economy
Cutting taxes In his speech to the CBI, the Tory leader said he would introduce a "fuel stabiliser", lowering tax when oil prices rise and help savers, home owners and families.
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. Those most in danger from a "struggling economy" must be helped - including employees, he argued.
Mr Cameron said the credit crunch meant more companies were 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 conceded that not all companies should be saved, he said "the least we should do" was 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. US companies filing for chapter 11 keep control of their assets and daily operations as negotiations continue in the bankruptcy court.
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". 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 party says similar restructuring deals do take place in the UK but, without set rules, can be inefficient.
Deposit protectionDeposit protection
Asked about whether an incoming Tory government would have to raise taxes, Mr Cameron said: "I hope that won't be the case because I do think we have more responsible spending plans now.
"Government always has to do what is right to safeguard the public finances.
"And as I say the tragic thing now is that, at this point in the economic cycle, what the government ought to be doing is actually cutting taxes. It should be giving a fiscal stimulus to the economy."
Every person turning to benefits should be giving an assessment of their needs and capabilities and offered help with finding a job, he said.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.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 class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme The proposals would not have applied to Northern Rock, the Conservatives say, as financial institutions are regulated separately.
And he said the Tories would reverse the government's plan to raise vehicle excise duty on the most polluting cars. Meanwhile, in a separate speech later, shadow chancellor George Osborne will say "fixing" society is integral to economic success.
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.
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 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. Meanwhile, in a separate speech later, shadow chancellor George Osborne will say "fixing" society is integral to economic success.
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".
Are you affected by issues covered in this story? Would you like to see the introduction of US-style business protection laws? Has your business been affected by the credit crunch? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you affected by issues covered in this story? Would you like to see the introduction of US-style business protection laws? Has your business been affected by the credit crunch? Send us your comments using the form below.
Name
 Name