New data gives the strongest suggestion yet that the majority of UK entrepreneurs and small business owners will favour the Tories on 7 May, despite campaigning by Labour on top issues such as zero hours contracts, business rates and access to finance.

Published in the Telegraph newspaper today, 5,000 small businesses have signed a letter saying David Cameron and George Osborne should be given a chance to “finish what they started”, adding that the coalition kept the country open for business in the last five years.

In response, Labour says the last government let down small businesses over funding, business rates, late payment and in the reported harsh treatment of some small suppliers by big business – most notably leading supermarkets.

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna, said: “The Tories have spent five years letting down Britain’s small businesses. Government scheme after government scheme designed to boost finance for small firms has failed, and small business lending has fallen by £500m in the last three months.

He added: “With Labour, the tax burden on small firms will be lower than under the Tories who have overseen an increase in business rates of around £1,500.”

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The Telegraph letter points to the Conservative claim that businesses have created 1,000 jobs per day, while in a speech today David Cameron will restate promises to reduce tax and red tape, vastly increase access to start-up loans and invest in infrastructure.

Strong intentions

Separately, a new pre-election poll of more than 1,000 small businesses by Bizdaq shows that 60% believe a Conservative government would represent their needs best of all the parties, compared with only 16% saying the same about Labour and 10% for UKIP.

Sean Mallon, CEO at Bizdaq, said: “Our research findings demonstrate clear support from the small and micro business community for the Conservatives at the next election. Support was equally strong for the Conservatives in the North of England as well as the South.”

The research also revealed small business attitudes to hot topics such as zero-hours contracts. Just a quarter said such contracts were important to their business, despite the potential benefits of flexibility and cost they offer growing firms.

Mallon added: “The continued uncertainty that surrounds such a closely fought general election is delivering a cautious outlook from small and micro businesses for the year ahead.”