BCC press release: Business insight key to successful devolution

Responding to No10’s plans to hand Mayors a greater share of locally generated tax revenue, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 
 
“Putting more decision-making closer to local economies can help unlock growth. But it must be focused on the practical barriers businesses face every day; from skills and transport to infrastructure and planning.  
 
“The acid test will be whether firms in communities across England, both within and outside strategic authorities, see stronger conditions for trade, investment and productivity.  
 
“This can only happen if business insight is built into local decision-making from the start, not an afterthought when the main decisions have already been made.  
 
“As a place-based network, Chambers are ready to play their part and contribute to making devolution a positive success.  They are rooted in their economies and communities and can turn real-time business intelligence into practical growth solutions. 
 
“It is vital that every part of the country benefits from these changes. Mayoral Strategic Authorities can be powerful engines for delivery where they have the expertise, funding and accountability to succeed. 
 
“But around half of England still sits outside these arrangements, and they cannot be left behind. The next phase of devolution must work for mayoral and non-mayoral areas alike.  
 
“And while England is in focus for today’s announcement, we must apply the same principles across the whole of the UK. 
 
“Chambers can help ensure that happens; giving businesses everywhere a strong voice in local growth plans, so that devolved funding truly delivers growth in every postcode.” 
 
Paul Britton, Chief Executive of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, which represents businesses across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon, said: 
 
“We welcome greater clarity about what additional powers, funding and freedoms will become available for devolved areas. But ‘yet to be’ devolved areas, such as the Thames Valley, which supports jobs, suppliers and prosperity across the whole of the UK should not be put on the back burner while administrative structures are being agreed.” 
 
John McCabe, Chief Executive at the North East Chamber of Commerce, said:  
 
“We welcome today’s announcement as a clear commitment from the new Prime Minister to continue transferring more powers and funding from central government into the regions and nations of the UK. That’s the fundamental principle of devolution and, as a former mayor, Andy Burnham clearly gets it. 
  
“Today, income tax generated by people from Berwick to Barnard Castle is retained in Whitehall for London-based leaders to decide what to do with it. That has to change. More of the wealth created in our region should be retained here and invested according to local priorities. 
  
“The next step is for mayors to work closely with business and other partners to agree on how best to use the new funds at their disposal, ensuring the benefits of good growth are felt across the regions they represent. 
  
“Specifically on business rate retention, we hope this is the first step in a wider, far-ranging review of this outdated tax on business.” 
 
Dr Stuart Patrick CBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said:  
 
"This announcement is a positive step towards giving local leaders the powers and financial flexibility needed to grow their economies. Experience from cities such as Greater Manchester shows that decisions on skills, transport and investment deliver better outcomes when made closer to the communities they affect. 
 
"For Glasgow, it reinforces the need to accelerate city-region devolution. Glasgow Chamber of Commerce stands ready to work with both the UK and Scottish Governments to ensure city regions have the powers and funding needed to drive productivity, attract investment and create high-quality jobs."