Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce has backed calls on Prime Minister hopeful Andy Burnham’s to deliver certainty, investment and growth for business, after the Manchester Mayor’s key speech yesterday.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have demanded “consistency, clarity and stability” from government policymakers if business confidence is to improve.
The intervention comes at a critical moment for the UK economy, with businesses across Staffordshire continuing to face pressure from rising employment costs, skills shortages, infrastructure challenges and fragile confidence.
Staffordshire Chambers said any new Prime Minister must put business at the centre of economic decision-making from day one.
Deputy chief executive Chris Plant said: “If Andy Burnham does become Prime Minister in July, businesses will want to see early evidence that his long-term plan is not just politically ambitious, but practically deliverable.
“Firms in Staffordshire need stability, lower barriers to growth and a clear plan for investment, skills, infrastructure and trade. Devolution can be powerful, but it must work for businesses on the ground, not create additional complexity or cost.”
The BCC said businesses would judge Mr Burnham’s plans on whether they deliver the investment, productivity and trade needed to unlock growth. It also repeated its call for all policy to pass a “growth delivery test”.
Staffordshire Chambers said that test is especially important for regional economies such as Staffordshire, where manufacturers, exporters, town-centre businesses and SMEs need practical support to compete and grow.
The Chambers also welcomed the focus on devolution, skills and procurement, but said local business voices must be built into decision-making.
Chamber-led Local Skills Improvement Plans have already shown how employers can shape training around real workforce needs. Staffordshire Chambers said this approach should be strengthened under any future government.
However, the Chambers echoed BCC concerns that fiscal devolution must not lead to new local business taxes or visitor levies.
The BCC has warned that government-imposed costs on SMEs have risen by more than 70 per cent in the past decade.
Staffordshire Chambers said the message to any incoming Prime Minister is clear: growth must come first, and business must be treated as a partner in delivering it.
