LABOUR is calling on the government to repay the “huge sacrifices” independent firms have made during the pandemic to mark Small Business Saturday.

Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday ministers should provide a “proper package of support” to small businesses to see them through the winter after coming out of lockdowns.

Labour said that many businesses face continued restrictions under the new tiered coronavirus rules in the run-up to Christmas, without sufficient financial support from the government.

Mr Starmer said: “On behalf of the Labour Party I want to celebrate the small businesses who are at the heart of our communities. We will stand by them over the crucial months ahead in fighting for the support they need.”

It comes after shadow business secretary Ed Miliband had warned that hundreds of thousands of small businesses reopening this weekend may not make it to spring without extra support.

New analysis revealed that an estimated 390,000 small businesses are worried they won’t survive the next three months.