THE CRISIS facing households and businesses in the region is not going to wait for the Conservative Party leadership contest to conclude – so say the region’s business leaders.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce has warned the government that time is running out to support firms in desperate need of help, as the cost of doing business becomes more acute.
The Chamber has backed a letter to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and both Tory leadership candidates from The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), proposing a five-point plan to provide support to UK businesses.
It proposes to give more power to Ofgem to strengthen regulation of the energy market for businesses, temporarily cut VAT to five per cent to reduce energy costs, introduce Covid-style support to help small and medium-sized businesses with energy bills, temporarily reverse National Insurance contributions, and review and reform the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) to help bring down wage pressures and fill staffing vacancies.
The Chamber says the Bank of England’s projections of a recession and consumer confidence at a 50-year low are clear signs that the Government is running out of time to offer businesses and households the support they need.
Over the last 18 months, BCC research – which includes figures from Coventry and Warwickshire – has shown unprecedented inflationary pressures on businesses. Energy bills, raw materials, and labour costs are all cited as the top drivers of price rises.
BCC research is also showing a reduction in the percentage of firms expecting to grow in the next 12 months.
Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said firms cannot afford to wait another month without practical support measures being put in place.
He said: “Now is the time for action. The crisis facing businesses across Coventry, Warwickshire, the wider region and the country, is not going to wait for the Conservative Party leadership contest to conclude.
“The current Prime Minister, Chancellor and Government have to act now to support companies with immediate effect.
“Since I arrived at this Chamber a few weeks ago, I have met with dozens of businesses across the patch and they can see so many opportunities for growth but they are being held back by issues out of their control.
“The five-point plan, outlined in the letter from the BCC to our nation’s leaders, would offer support to businesses during this crisis.
“Of course, there needs to be help for individuals in these very difficult times – but the health of our region relies on good businesses, creating and sustaining jobs and growing the economy so it’s vital they are supported too.”
Director General of the BCC, Shevaun Haviland, said: “Since the start of 2021 we have been repeatedly hearing the same message: the cost-of-doing-business is increasing.
“At over 10 per cent, inflation is at a 40-year high; interest rates are seeing the largest increase in 27 years; and eye watering energy bills have created a perfect storm of increasing costs. The impact of these challenges on consumers, businesses and wider society cannot be overstated.
“Consumer confidence reported at a 50-year low, and the Bank of England’s projections of a year-long recession, demonstrates that the cost-of-living crisis and the cost-of-doing-business crisis are two sides of the same coin.
“The BCC’s five-point plan is not solely about ensuring support for businesses. It is also about protecting jobs, securing livelihoods, and creating a vibrant and prosperous society for everyone.
“Good business is good for our communities, and we must support firms and the individuals that run them to ride out this economic storm.
“In June, we gave the Government until the Autumn budget to get its house in order, but the latest economic projections released since then have been worse than expected. We simply cannot afford to see another month of the same old news.
“Through feedback from accredited Chambers of Commerce around the UK, alongside our extensive research and survey work, we know what businesses require now to survive and plan for growth. The regulation of the energy sector for businesses must be strengthened. Businesses also need to receive support for spiralling costs through grant funding and a reduction in VAT on energy bills, along with measures to boost growth such as a temporary reversal of NICs and an urgent reform of the SOL to fill staff vacancies.
“The problems are well understood. We at the BCC are offering solutions. It is now over to the Government to take action to protect businesses, livelihoods and jobs.”
