BUSINESS AND ECONOMY IN SPOTLIGHT

BUSINESS and the economy will be debated tonight by Derby candidates in the General Election.

On the same day as the party leaders take part in the final televised debate ahead of May 6, candidates in Derby North, Derby South and Mid Derbyshire will answer questions from firms.

The free event at Derby College's Roundhouse campus is being hosted by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and will follow a Question Time-style format. The aim is to challenge the candidates on issues affecting trade.

The panelists will be Lucy Care, Liberal Democrat candidate in Derby North, Hardyal Dhindsa, Labour candidate in Mid Derbyshire, and Jack Perschke, Conservative for Derby South.

Issues to be covered during the debate, which starts at 6pm, include support for small and medium businesses, changes in funding regimes and support for the transportation supply-chain industries.