IN contrast to the European economy the British economy is starting to thrive largely fuelled by small and medium-sized businesses expanding after a long recession.

By and large European companies make the same sort of goods as British companies, so real expansion can only come from exporting goods and services to growing countries such as India, Brazil, Australia, Arabia and Africa.

Britain has a massive trade deficit of £190 billion over the last six years from Europe yet enjoys a £21 billion surplus in trade with the rest of the world.

The EU was 31% of world trade when we joined in 1973, it is only 15% now.

The Commonwealth Countries represent 17%.

The British manufacturing industry is power hungry. UKIP proposes a 13% cut in the cost of electricity and will also cut business rates by 20% for smaller business that have premises with a rateable value of less than £50,000.

Small businesses will be shielded from deliberately delayed payments from big business, which will also have to pay a turnover tax where they report profits abroad.

It is the pound in your pocket that oils our economy so UKIP intend to remove tax liability from anyone paid the minimum wage; raise the threshold for paying 40% tax to £55,000; and introduce a new lower tax band of 30% on earnings between £45,300 and £55,000.

The abolition of inheritance tax does not just affect large house or farm owners but also small business owners who will now be able to pass on a going concern through the family.

British workers paying tax in Britain and buying British products and services are key to a successful economy which funds the services and job creation for others and support for those less well off.

UKIP will give British workers first call on every job.