With just a few weeks to go to the General Election on July 4, our businesses want a clear victor to emerge to overhaul the planning system and upgrade infrastructure to kickstart the economy.

Companies simply want the new government to support investor confidence for real growth.

In my view, the new government needs a formal industrial strategy to maximise Britain’s strengths in the life sciences, digital, creative, financial services, clean power, automotive, aerospace and defence sectors.

Isn’t that logical?

Here in Gloucestershire, the key sectors which need the new government’s support include security cyber, digital, nuclear and specialist engineering and manufacturing.

Quite a list.

Our prospective MPs must get a grip on the need to support the key sector companies in their areas.

And in Gloucestershire that support must predominantly be for the SMEs - the small and medium size companies - of which there are around 30,000.

They are the firms highlighted in the recent Gloucestershire County Council Economic Strategy for the next ten years. It is these SMEs which will provide the economic health and growth we desperately need.

Over the next few weeks in this column leading up to polling day, I will be highlighting the key asks that Business West wishes to be considered by the new government.

One of those key asks - tied in with the county’s economic strategy - is the need for more skills support.

We must have enhanced investment in education to address the skills-gap and drive social mobility in our region - not just for young learners but lifelong learners too.

The Business West work we are carrying out for government with the Local Skills Improvement Plans - or LSIPs - is clearly showing that education must be more closely aligned to the needs of business.

While talking about skills, I must pay a personal tribute to Sarah-Jane Watkins, South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College’s Principal who is leaving to become Warwickshire Colleges Group CEO and College Principal.

Sarah-Jane has been a tower of strength in helping to advance apprenticeships so that SGS has become one of the most successful colleges in the country.

We need leadership like hers in government to prepare our young people for the changing face of the world of work.