Lorely Promoted in the Liberal Democrat reshuffle

12.00.00am GMT Wed 15th Mar 2006

West Midlands Liberal Democrats MP Lorely Burt promoted to Small Businesses Spokeswoman

In a series of appointments of spokespeople to support the work of the new Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet made by Sir Menzies Campbell, Liberal Democrat leader, today West Midlands Liberal Democrats MP Lorely Burt has been promoted to Small Businesses Spokeswoman.

"I am excited and anxious to champion the cause of small businesses in Britain," said Lorely. "Having run several small businesses myself in the past, I understand the challenges and frustrations which small businesses face."

"Small businesses comprise 99.2% of all businesses, and employ over 20m people. They deserve much more consideration and help then they get, and I will be fighting to achieve the conditions in which they can grow and prosper," added the West Midlands Liberal Democrats MP.

Among the first issues Lorely will be tackling will be making tax fairer and simpler, freeing business from red tape and investing in the right skills to boost productivity

Other appointments made today are Foreign & Commonwealth: Jeremy Browne MP, Treasury: Colin Breed MP, Home Affairs: Lynne Featherstone MP & Mark Hunter MP, Health: Sandra Gidley MP & John Pugh MP, Education Stephen Williams MP (HE/FE spokesperson) & Greg Mulholland MP (schools spokesperson), Work & Pensions: Danny Alexander MP, Community and Local Government: Dan Rogerson MP, Trade and Industry: Lorely Burt MP (Small Business spokesperson) & David Howarth MP (Energy spokesperson), Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Martin Horwood MP (Environment spokesperson) & Roger Williams MP (Rural Affairs spokesperson), Transport: Paul Rowen MP & John Leech MP, Defence: Bob Russell MP & Willie Rennie MP, Scotland: John Barrett MP, Northern Ireland: Alan Reid MP, Wales: Mark Williams MP, Deputy Whips: Adrian Sanders MP & Jenny Willott MP, Science: Dr. Evan Harris MP and London: Lynne Featherstone MP