BUSINESSES are likely to scrutinise pledges made by political parties, as they seek to get the best deal after the election.

It comes as parties have revealed how they intend to stimulate economic growth as outlined in their manifestos.

The Conservative Party is proposing to cut corporation tax by 17 per cent by 2020, as well increasing the personal income tax allowance to £12,500 and increasing the higher rate of income tax to £50,000.

Labour could be abolishing business rates altogether in favour of a Land Value Tax. It also believes it can raise an extra £6.4bn a year from the top 5 per cent of earners in the country to pay for “a fairer, more prosperous society for the many, not just the few”.

It said the money could be raised by setting the threshold for the 45p rate of income tax at £80,000 instead of £150,000 and introducing a new 50p rate on earnings over £123,000.

The Liberal Democrats will aim to create a “new start-up allowance” to help those starting a new business with their living costs in the first weeks of their business - up to £2,600.

Ukip says it will “cut the burden of taxation on business, especially our smaller and medium sized businesses as well as encouraging local authorities to make life easi - er for businesses too, by providing cheaper and “ideally free” parking in high streets to “encourage cus - tomers back into town centres and high streets.”

KEVIN Lawrence, 43, of heads up Hockley’s Removals, in Corringham, and believes that the housing market needs addressing.

He said: “There are so many young people out there who can’t afford a deposit, or mortgages that banks are offering are just not enough.

“There needs to be more housing, more affordable housing. For my business, there needs to be more movement.

“Fuel actually is indirectly an issue for us, as any increase in price means we have to pass it on to our customers, which we don’t want.

“So we would be looking for the government to keep costs down.”

PHIL Evans, 48, owner of Hope Brewery in Towers Road, Grays, provides beer to pubs across the county believes any increase in alcohol duty will hit the industry hard.

The Tories made the pledge in the March budget.

He said: “The cost of duty goes up, it means our production costs go up, and then it gets passed on to the publican, which makes it difficult for all and I hope this is looked at after the election.

“It gets felt all throughout the industry. The other thing I would hope they get around to looking at a way of getting more free trade.

“It means the larger companies hold all the cards.”

CHRIS Drake, 31, a painter and decorator from Grays, has called on the government to help smaller businesses such as his firm.

He said: “I believe there should be more long term job security. Big companies should not be giving zero hour contracts for minimum wage.

“Personally I think there should be more help for smaller companies like myself to progress.

“I am concerned that unskilled foreign labour is driving prices and wages down, which is causing substandard lifestyles. In some cases there are ten to a house.