<a href="http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/today-in-pol-12.html">Today in Politics: The battle for the small business vote</a>

Frantic activity from both the Tories and Labour today as they highlight measures to help people and small firms survive the downturn. David Cameron has called for a 1 per cent cut in national insurance contributions for 2.3m small businesses.