Chancellor George Osborne has been asked to play Santa in next week’s Autumn Statement and give Swindon firms three early Christmas presents – action on business rates, infrastructure and apprenticeships.
The wish-list comes from Business West, the organisation that runs the Initiative in Swindon & Wiltshire. It wants to see the Chancellor, pictured, build on the improving economic picture rather than play politics ahead of next May’s General Election. 
Other business groups have also called on Mr Osborne to deliver a much-needed boost to the country’s creaking infrastructure next Wednesday while also backing innovation.
Ian Larrard, director of the Initiative in Swindon & Wiltshire said: “With a feeling of déjà vu, here we are again asking the Chancellor to cut costs and reform the broken business rates system.
“Those with keen policy memories may remember the fire for a freeze in business rates this time last year, which the Chancellor briefly tamed with a 2% cap on inflation and the introduction of a rate discount to help the high street.
“However, this didn’t go far enough and yet again we cry out for reform to this crippling tax which hits firms before they make a profit.
“Infrastructure is at the core of British business, underpinning confidence and competitiveness, but the UK remains off pace with delivery. We already know that the Autumn Statement will contain plans for a £15bn roads investment strategy, but the Government must address the ever-poorer state of Britain’s existing roads as well as adding much-needed new ones and revving up the delivery of key projects. Many of these are currently progressing at a glacial speed.
“The recurring theme as we fight our way to long-term growth has been the skills gap among young people, with youth unemployment stubbornly high despite total unemployment at its lowest since 2008.
“Firms consistently tell us about skills shortages and we are working hard to ensure better links between education and business. We urge the Chancellor to use tax cuts to incentivise this.
“After the country officially emerged from a recession this year, we must not see the Chancellor shy away next week in light of the General Election next May. Despite a stellar year of growth there are still fundamental weaknesses in the economy to be tackled.”
The EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, is calling for a massive boost to infrastructure and innovation to build on the strong economic recovery and lay foundations for longer-term economic growth.
Its Autumn Statement submission focuses heavily on the need to make further progress on existing areas of reform which can influence manufacturers’ current and future investment plans, in particular infrastructure and innovation, together with skills funding.
It also seeks supply side reforms which will influence current and future investment plans by manufacturers, as well as the need to maintain a strongly competitive and stable business tax regime.
EEF regional director Phil Brownsord said: “We have seen a significant turnaround in the economy over the last year, and it is important for the Government to maintain its focus on areas which drive growth, including maintaining a competitive tax regime and other measures which support high value investment and innovation.
“Despite the forthcoming election, Government must continue to drive forward with policies which support long term growth and the re-balancing of our economy.
“Manufacturers are also heavily reliant on road networks. Implementation of those projects left on the too difficult list for too long is an urgent priority.
“In addition, Government has created a network of innovation centres which bring industry and universities together as a seed-bed for new ideas and business opportunities. Amid the many funding pressures ministers face I hope that support for the existing Catapult centres will therefore be enhanced to make sure they stay at the cutting edge of technology and keep Britain at the forefront of manufacturing excellence.”
Swindon Business News will have full coverage of the Autumn Statement as it happens next Wednesday and instant reaction from local business experts.
