Ed Balls tucked into a full English whilst talking business in Haringey this morning.

The Shadow Chancellor came to the borough to meet small business owners and tell them what Labour could do for them if it wins the election in May.

The MP for Morley and Outwood paid a visit to the Olive Cafe in High Road, Hornsey, and had a fry up and a coffee while he chatted to the Kaya family, who run the business.

When discussing businesses on the high street with Mr Balls, owner Gonul Kaya, 46, said: “Small business along Hornsey High Street is really struggling, some are almost finished.

“We have had a tough three years and it’s getting tougher, the taxman doesn’t appreciate how difficult it is for us but we are staying positive.”

Mr Balls said that if Labour wins the General Election there will be an immediate freeze on business rates for small businesses such as the Olive Cafe.

He said: “We keep hearing from small businesses across the country that business rates are their biggest challenge, they have gone up a lot and for many people it doesn’t feel fair anymore.

“The government wants to cut corporation tax which will help large companies who have already had plenty of help, what we will do is cut business rates for small businesses immediately and freeze them for the second year.

“A small business like this would definitely fall into that category and it would save them a significant amount of money.”

Mr Balls also pledged to tackle youth unemployment as well as low paid, unsecure jobs if he becomes chancellor after the election.

He said: “We have got to get young people back into work and there is a real issue in Haringey with youth unemployment.

“We’re going to guarantee a job for young people who have been out of work for more than twelve months which will be paid for by the bank bonus tax.

“We would also raise the minimum wage to at least £8 per hour, take action on zero hours contracts and guarantee apprenticeships for young people who get the grades at 18.”