Will budget give our businesses a spring in their step?

It’s that time of year again when we head towards the Spring Budget - and the Government will definitely have some big asks from the business community, writes Shaun Gray.

Ahead of the budget on 6 March, the Chamber is urging the Chancellor to create a blueprint for investor confidence, providing the right level of support to tackle the ongoing cost of living challenges and help businesses bring back the focus to growth.

The impact of a prolonged period of raised interest rates, coupled with ingrained recruitment challenges, continues to have a bearing on local firms. With business growth prospects currently subdued for many, tackling business cost pressures, hiring challenges and fostering closer ties with international markets need to figure highly on the Chancellor’s priority list. It will also be interesting to see what measures the Government looks to introduce to ease inflation and reach their own target of getting inflation down to two per cent. 

Many businesses across our region continue to struggle to recruit skilled talent. Almost three quarters of businesses report difficulties recruiting new staff and many residents remain unable to access meaningful employment opportunities, with skills gaps being a key challenge.

Investment

Across Burton and Uttoxeter it is great to see investment in major transport infrastructure and highway improvements taking place - which is a real boost to attracting investment, employees and visitors.

The multi-million-pound A38 Branston Interchange project scheme will begin very soon. This junction is central to doing business in Burton and will bring long term benefits to our region, providing investment and job opportunities and reducing congestion. You can find out more on Staffordshire County Council’s website.

Towards the centre of Burton, a large-scale highways improvements scheme on the A511 Horninglow Road North has begun, including reconstruction and resurfacing work as well as repairs to footpaths and drainage. This follows work to improve and resurface a busy road and roundabout in Uttoxeter. It is fantastic to see the momentum behind this work which can only make our local area an even better place to live, work and visit.

Recognition

I would like to recognise some of the good work taking place in our own local area. It was great to hear that Burton-based Willshee’s Waste & Recycling will be managing a major waste contract for ground-breaking construction company TopHat, located nearby in Foston, near Uttoxeter.

Congratulations also to the National Memorial Arboretum, being awarded a Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark in recognition of the visitor destination’s continued commitment to making sustainable choices for the benefit of the planet, people, and the local economy.

And finally, flying the flag for Staffordshire, We Are Staffordshire, which promotes the county as a place to live, visit and invest in has been named the first UK representative to join the City Nation Place Advisory Group which is made up of a broad range of partners including private sector businesses, the county, district and borough councils and its universities. Yet another brilliant accolade for our region.

There are several events coming up in February and March including business speed networking on 20 February in Burton and a special event in Birmingham to celebration International Women’s Day on 7 March. If you would like to attend, please get in touch with Richard.

And finally, we are delighted to welcome the following businesses as members to the Burton & District Chamber of Commerce:  Ring Ring Recruitment, The Dove Radio Company Limited, Burton Kia and Caterly. They are joining over 100 member companies across Burton upon Trent and Uttoxeter and over 2500 member companies across the broader region.

If you would like more information on Burton & District Chamber of Commerce or to attend one of our networking events, please feel free to contact Richard Brooks on [email protected]

Shaun Gray is president of Burton & District Chamber of Commerce and European managing director of Burton-based Ginho Group

This column first appeared in the Burton Mail