Chamber of Commerce Chief Praises Yorkshire Businesses' Steadfast Determination

British Chambers of Commerce Director-General, Dr Adam Marshall, praised the steadfast determination of businesses in Yorkshire and beyond who are working to mend their communities as the flood waters recede.

Speaking at the BCC annual conference in London, Dr Marshall also commented on the businesses on Tyneside that are working together with the Chamber of Commerce to regenerate their town centres and keep their high streets alive.

Dr Marshall said that many businesses have legitimate questions and concerns about the future.

“If the Government has taken some choices that will make life harder for UK businesses – it must now take others that make things easier.

"It must put measures in place to help businesses whose cash flow and supply chains could be disrupted when the transition period comes to an end on 31st December;

"It must stop tinkering round the edges and finally tackle the drag anchor of business rates, which undermine investment and risk-taking, and suffocate our high streets;

Speaking to business the Director-General commenting on the fact that ministers have made political choices, Dr Marshall said: “We also must point out that these choices are likely to bring significant near-term costs and pressures for UK businesses and traders.

“These costs will be borne not just by our businesses – but also by consumers, and by our communities.

“There’s nothing ideological or political about stating this.

“It’s a simple fact".

Crucially, he sent a message to Government that it must stop dreaming up new bureaucracy, new administration, and new compliance requirements, "so companies can put their time and resources into their people, their communities, and the climate challenge instead.”

Moving to next week's budget Dr Marshall had this to say: Six days from now, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver this government’s first Budget.

“At this moment of change – he has a huge opportunity to go ‘all in’ and take big steps to improve conditions for UK business and enterprise.

“An opportunity to stop the endless rises in up-front costs that strangle growing firms and dim their horizons.

“An opportunity to back the innovators and entrepreneurs who put UK expertise and know-how on the global map.

“An opportunity to offer help to those companies and areas affected by the global challenge posed by Coronavirus.

Closing his speech he said: "Above all, an opportunity to send a signal of support to British business through this period of political change – so that business in return can help make the UK a better place for all its people.”