GWE Business West Comments on New Government

GWE Business West is looking forward to working with the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition Government and welcomes the confirmation of David Cameron as our new Prime Minister.

Many of the policies set out in the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Manifestos, and the focus on business, are well-received - reducing regulation, reforming business rates and establishing new programmes to help new and existing businesses.

Phil Smith, Joint Managing Director says, “This is an excellent opportunity for us to work together to put business at the forefront of our economic recovery and to work with the new Cabinet to implement policies to create new jobs, support businesses and reduce the regulatory burden on SMEs. We welcome the Prime Minister’s aim to provide a strong and stable government built on the values of freedom, fairness and responsibility.”

GWE Business West is concerned about a small number of key issues that will affect their members and the business community.

They advise that changes to Business Link and other business support services need to be undertaken in full consultation with business, to get the best possible service. They recommend a business led approach to economic recovery.

They warn that many businesses are concerned about the abolition of the regional tier of planning and the impact this will have on the delivery of essential growth in housing and jobs. On this point, GWE Business West strongly agrees with the British Chambers of Commerce and recommends stabilising and de-politicising the planning system to give businesses the confidence to invest.

They ask what the impact of immediate public spending cuts on “easy targets”, such as capital spending, will be? And what knock on effect this might have in the private sector? Again, a point made by British Chambers of Commerce in their 90 day plan where they have set out the need to avoid deep cuts to infrastructure projects that support business growth.

John Savage, Joint Managing Director says, “We welcome some of the proposals for how our city regions should be run in the future. And giving councils greater control over spending, options to hold referenda on whether to have an elected mayor and the opportunity for new business-led local enterprise partnerships to be established.

“GWE Business West looks forward to working with the new Government, and our newly elected MPs, at both a local and national level to help ensure the economic growth and success of our area.” ENDS