Norfolk Chamber is looking for the Chancellor to deliver a business friendly budget tomorrow.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber gives her point of view:
Speculation is mounting ahead of tomorrow’s Budget that Sunday trading laws could be relaxed.
But putting all our eggs in the basket of consumer spend will not deliver long-term, sustainable, great growth for the UK economy. The government needs to focus on improving our road, rail and digital infrastructure as well as promoting international trade and export – that is how we can rebalance the economy and help achieve Norfolk growth ambitions.
It is positive that Norwich and Norfolk will be able to decide locally so that our independent stores which make Norwich’s shopping experience so specialcan have their voices heard
Tomorrow’s Budget presents a golden opportunity for the Chancellor to demonstrate the Government is serious about boosting international trade and hitting its target of having exports worth £1 trillion by 2020. Our small and medium exporters need the same support as the larger companies so we would look for additional support for them as they compete on a global stage. It is an opportunity the Chancellor cannot afford to miss.
The Chancellor must also get to grips with the huge investment challenge facing the country which particularly affects us here in Norfolk. Ageing roads, rail and energy networks need upgrading
Business will no longer accept a ‘make do and mend’ approach and want to see real commitment to supporting the needs of business.
Norfolk Chamber would like to see:
- A commitment to continued infrastructure improvements in roads and rail
- Improved Digital and wireless connectivity through broadband and mobile speed and coverage to support selling and buying online
- We need investment in energy infrastructure to keep production lines and technology running.
- Improved international support for small and medium sized exporters.
Failure to invest in capacity and maintenance in infrastructure is hampering Norfolk’s business growth and potentially costing jobs.
We accept the government’s goal of deficit reduction but it must be achieved without restricting our businesses economic growth which will affect our ability to create and retain jobs.
We are seeing an improvement of the local economy especially relating to manufacturing where Norfolk is showing better results that nationally in the British Chambers of Commerce’s Q2 Quarterly Economic Survey results out today.
However, the economy remains fragile with uncertainty within the business community relating to the situation in Greece and the reduction in oil prices. A business friendly budget is needed.
