04/06/2010
Solihull Chamber members warned of tough times ahead
Solihull Chamber members warned of tough times ahead
Solihull businesses are being warned that tough times lie ahead – but the local chamber is hoping that the new coalition government is ready to step in to help.
Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham and Solihull Chamber, says the organisation will do all it can to press the government to help businesses.
At the same time, he is ready to concede that many businesses are still facing a fight for survival. He is due to raise his concerns before an audience of Solihull businessmen and women on 11 June at the Arden Hotel, Bickenhill.
“In April we saw inflation rise to a 17-month high of 3.7 per cent, driven by rising food costs and Budget duty hikes,” he says.
“Prospects for the immediate future are not good, as petrol prices have soared to record levels, and VAT is expected to rise to 20 per cent.
“Rising fuel prices will have an adverse impact on most businesses and with the VAT rise, trading conditions will get even harder.”
However, Mr Blackett will tell the meeting that the Chamber has pledged to do all it can to get the government to make life easier for businesses.
He will spell out the Chamber’s opposition to some of the cuts already announced by the coalition, not least the threat to trim the bill for regional development agencies by £270m.
The Chamber is also keeping up its efforts to get the coalition to scrap Labour’s planned rise in National Insurance contributions.
Mr Blackett will tell the meeting that the Chamber is hoping the coalition will do what it can to provide a business-friendly economic environment.
Apart from discussing hopes for the economic revival, Mr Blackett is also due to address the meeting on the latest developments in transportation which will affect the locality.
This will include the proposed High Speed 2 rail line, which would boost the West Midlands metropolitan area economy by an estimated £2.5bn, and also the Chamber’s backing for the scrapping of the third Heathrow runway project.
“Scrapping proposals for new developments in the South East, together with a desire to utilise existing and underused assets will mean a more equitable solution for the country as a whole, and more jobs and prosperity for the regions,” said Mr Blackett.
If you would like to attend the lunch please contact Katie Rider on 0121 781 7384 or email solevents@solihull-chamber.com
Note to Editors
For further information, please contact the Chamber’s Press and Public Relations Manager John Lamb on 0121 450 4228 or mobile 07971 144064. E-mail j.lamb@birminghamchamber.org.uk
Interview requests
For interviews on this press release, please call Birmingham Chamber’s media hotline: 0121 450 4228.
Birmingham Chamber
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry is one of the UK’s oldest and largest Chambers and represents about 3,000 companies that employ over 170,000 people in Birmingham and Solihull. It offers extensive services to industry and commerce, having served the interests of business for over two centuries, promoting trade locally, nationally and internationally.