Reform in skills, planning and business rates are among asks from East Midlands Chamber, ahead of the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on 17th July.
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “As the King reads out the bills the government proposes to make law, it’s vitally important this new government listens to the needs of the East Midlands business community.
“The East Midlands has immense potential but has been continually overlooked when it comes to investment from the centre and getting the region where it needs to be to enable growth.
“Enhancing infrastructure, rolling out high speed broadband and upgrading connectivity of the rail network are all essential components for East Midlands sustainable growth. Our labour market would be boosted with skills reform, while tax and regulation are barriers to business growth that need to be addressed.
“The ingredients for success in the East Midlands are already set out in the Manifesto for Growth launched in Westminster earlier this year. We ask the new government to engage with us so we can get the asks of the Manifesto implemented.”
Summary of asks in East Midlands Chamber’s Manifesto for Growth
- Business rates: Full review of the system
- Tax and regulation: Simplify the R&D tax credits system
- Skills: Incentives for businesses that invest in staff training
- Infrastructure: Speed up full-fibre Broadband rollout
- Planning: Let the private sector plug gaps on council staffing
- Transport: Electrification of the Midland Main Line, Reinstatement of Coventry and Leicester direct rail
