The number of parliamentary candidates with business and finance experience has doubled since 2008, research reveals.

The number of parliamentary candidates with business and finance experience has doubled since 2008, research reveals.

This year, 14 per cent of would-be MPs have experience in business management or financial services, compared to 7 per cent last year, finds the study from the Industry and Parliamentary Trust (IPT).

Phil Orford, chief executive of the Forum of Private Business, says, ‘It appears that, disillusioned with existing enterprise policies, more entrepreneurs are proactively seeking to get involved by putting themselves forward for election.’

However, less than a third of all candidates (31 per cent) cite business as among their political interests, according to the IPT study.

Adds Orford, ‘Schemes designed to protect small businesses must not be sacrificed in the name of public spending cuts. It is therefore vital that the voices of those candidates with business and finance experience are heard.’