Chancellor John Healey is being urged by Shropshire Chamber of Commerce to back up his Labour Party conference speech with business-friendly policies at next month’s Budget.

“It was good to hear the Chancellor clearly recognising the importance of business in creating the UK’s wealth - and that cutting their costs is key to achieving it,” said Shropshire Chamber policy and patron engagement manager. 

“His pledge to use public procurement to back British capability also shows he understands its vital importance in driving regional growth. 

“But smaller firms must be able to compete for contracts on a level playing field. The test now is whether new projects are delivered quickly, with clear pipelines that give businesses the confidence to invest in people and capacity. 

“But this strategy is unlikely to succeed while the everyday cost of doing business is still soaring. Firms across our county are being asked to invest while facing a tsunami of rising costs from employment, energy and business rates.”

Shropshire Chamber has kicked off its autumn programme of round-table events with the county’s MPs, to ensure they can take the views and concerns of local businesses to the heart of Westminster.

A typical SME has seen operating costs increase by more than 70 per cent in 10 years as a result of Government policy changes, according to the Chamber, which says the Budget must give them breathing space, avoid any further tax rises and cut some of these costs. 

Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, added:  “The Chancellor rightly called out the deplorable situation where we have almost one million young people not in employment.

“The expansion of apprenticeships is welcome, but this will only be successful if the voice of business is heard.  

“Local Skills Improvement plans have taught us this works best when employers are engaged through organisations such as Chambers.  

“Businesses need long-term certainty on skills, planning, infrastructure and a roadmap to reduce the tax burden.  

“The Chancellor should apply a growth delivery test to all of his budget decisions – will his measures prompt firms to do take positive action they would not otherwise have taken?”