In my work as a Business Minister I meet businesses all the time and of course deal with policy issues they are concerned about.  As the election approaches the policy choices between the parties on business are becoming clearer.

Take a couple of examples from the past week.  First on RDAs.  These organisations were set up a decade ago.  They are business led and have played a very important role in fostering support for business, economic development in the regions and more recently in helping business through the recession.  They also have a critical role to play in the recovery. 

David Cameron has said he wants rid of RDAs.  So has Ken Clarke.  Business made known it didn’t like that and now in desperation the Tories have written to MPs trying to clarify the issue but instead have just shown what a shambles their policy is on this issue.  They say they want reform now, not abolition and there is vague talk of something called a local enterprise partnership but business needs clarity on this.  Let me be clear.  Labour will keep the RDAs because we know that business values organisations which can get things done at the regional level. 

The fact is every time the Tories have set out a policy since the New Year it has crumbled.  They think they can cruise to office on a vague message of change without doing the hard graft to get it right on the big issues.  This mess over RDA policy is simply the latest one after others on taxation for married couples and public spending.

Another policy they have set out is to take away £3.5 billion in tax support for manufacturing industry.  This is the tax support that helps companies invest in new equipment.  Capital allowances like this are valued by manufacturing industry, especially in an area like ours. We need to support investment in machinery and equipment, particularly now if we want to sustain a very fragile recovery.  But Tory policy on this shows they are turning their backs on manufacturing.  They may not care about a Britain that makes things, but we do.

On local matters, I visited Wilkinson Primary School in Bradley on Friday where I met parents and staff.  The school, like many others, has had some investment in recent years and looked great in the spring sunshine.  There is nothing more important than giving young people the best start in life, and how people do at school is more important than ever in shaping their future opportunities.

I also did a couple of interviews about my recent trip to India, one with Radio XL and one with the Sikh Channel, which celebrates its first birthday around now. 

I had my regular surgeries in East Park and Springvale wards and went door to door canvassing a couple of times.  I enjoy meeting voters on the doorstep.  Many are kind enough to offer a cup of tea to an MP with cold hands in the current weather.  I do hope people understand if I say no.  It’s certainly tempting, but of course I want to meet as many voters as possible when I am out so we try to keep up a reasonable pace.