MEMBERS of parliament in the area have been urged to do more to help small businesses.

Following the general election, The Federation of Small Businesses wrote to MPs in Lewisham, Greenwich, Bromley and Bexley urging them to "create an economic environment in which small businesses can flourish".

According to the federation, which claims to represent the views of small businesses and the self-employed, nearly 70 per cent of all new jobs in London are created by small businesses.

A spokesman said: "Whatever the political situation, the ability and the desire of small businesses to expand and create new jobs must be central to economic policy.

"We can provide MPs with survey results, the view from the coalface of business and an indication of how their local economy is doing."