Chamber manifesto sets out key areas of action for business
Five key issues where action is needed at a critical time for business are spelled out an in-depth manifesto produced by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC).
The 2022/23 Manifesto had been compiled by the Chamber 's policy team, with Erin Henwood - policy advisor - leading the project, in collaboration with patrons and the wider membership.
The Manifesto highlights the intervention needed from external stakeholders, as well as the steps taken by the Chamber on behalf of its members.
It recommends action for stakeholders to address in the face of the cost of doing business crisis, including a reversal of raising National Insurances contributions implemented in April 2022, urgent fiscal intervention to tackle inflation and the introduction of an emergency energy grant for SMEs.
Summary and key recommendations:
- Cost of doing business
The current cost of doing business must be addressed on a national level to alleviate the difficulties firm are facing.
- People
Firms have had difficulty recruiting the skilled talent they need to fill vacancies, limiting their operational capacity and constricting their growth potential, says the Chamber.
- Enabling local growth
Landmark opportunities such as HS2 and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have propelled the West Midlands on a growth trajectory.
Businesses across all sectors have innumerable opportunities to help boost local growth and make their mark on the region.
- Global trade
As the world emerges from the pandemic, businesses are increasingly interested in expanding their horizons beyond the UK 's borders.
- Net zero
National and regional bodies have placed sustainability firmly at the forefront of their agendas and businesses have started factoring sustainability and net zero targets into their plans, identifying significant opportunities that this will bring in the future.
Henrietta Brealey (pictured), chief executive officer of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The last few years have been some of the most eventful in recent history for businesses across Greater Birmingham, and new leadership in Government will mean different answers to the biggest issues we face both at home and abroad.
“The challenges facing our business community require forward-thinking and decisive action, which is why I am proud to launch our 2022/23 Policy Manifesto, providing a solutions-based approach at a time of critical need for business.
“Tackling the current economic crisis, as well as long-standing problems related to recruitment and skills shortages, cannot be done without business at the heart of the agenda. ”
Raj Kandola, head of policy and strategic relationships at the GBCC, said: “For centuries, businesses across our region have demonstrated an underlying resilience which has been stretched to its limits over the past few years following the economic headwinds created by Brexit, Covid-19 and more recently soaring inflation and cost pressures.
“Our latest Policy Manifesto offers real world solutions to the challenges businesses are facing right now and a blueprint to create a stronger regional economy as we emerge from the pandemic underpinned by principles of innovation and dynamism.
“We will use this Manifesto to engage with local, regional and national stakeholders to ensure the voice of local business is being recognised and reflected in policy programmes moving forward. ”
Ann Tonks, managing director of Edgbaston-based restaurant Chapter, was among those to contribute feedback for the manifesto.
She said: “Small independent businesses are at the very heart of our communities and we are all facing an existential crisis with the huge increases in energy and, in the case of hospitality, food costs. This cost of living crisis has followed immediately on the heels of Covid which devastated our industry for two years.
“At Chapter we have a +68 per cent increase on electricity alone, and many colleagues are seeing far more than that. Food costs are +15 per cent and rising (and the drought will lead to more increases). We are seeing cost increases of around £95,000 per annum just to stand still. And of course we can 't pass all of the increases onto our customers.
“The knock on effect of failing is huge and resounds around our community - staff, suppliers, the things that make a street and neighbourhood buzz. In the case of Chapter, we purchase 90 per cent of our food from within the British Isles - that means contributing to the livelihood of British fishermen and farmers .
“Our butcher, our fruit and veg supplier, our baker, our coffee supplier and our spirits supplier are all local companies, some around the corner from us, others within 30 miles.
“Meaningful help needs to be delivered by central government. These are unprecedented times and we desperately need essential cuts in VAT on utilities, a reduction to five per cent VAT on our industry 's food sales and a business rates holiday to help the essential issues of cash flow and, frankly, survival. ”