Chamber releases 2017 ‘Election Campaign for Business’

With four weeks to go until the general election, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has today launched its Campaign for Business 2017 which pulls together the views of its members and sets out key issues that businesses want to see from the next government.

Among the ongoing calls from business around infrastructure investment, skills and economic issues, the campaign also focuses on good employment practices around childcare provision and flexible working, the living wage and the role that all levels of education have to play in preparing young people for work from pre-school to Higher Education.

Chris Fletcher, director of marketing and policy at the Chamber, said: “It’s fair to say that the announcement of the election came as a bit of a surprise. We are in a way though fortunate, coming as this does immediately on the back of the recent mayoral election and several consultations on business and economic issues, so we have been able to put this together to give the most accurate representation of business views available right now.

“The content has been discussed and approved by our Members’ Assembly and the Policy & Campaign Committee and sets out what businesses expect from the next government in what are and will continue to be challenging times.

“It is important that Brexit doesn’t dominate the election or work of government over the next five years as there are a number of deep rooted problems still needing attention from previous governments around skills, infrastructure investment and tackling a tax regime that seem to grow exponentially more complex every year – especially with the spread of ‘up-front’ taxes such as business rates.

“Our members have already made their views clear on Brexit already, so now it’s time to focus on those other important issues. With Andy Burnham in post as the Mayor of Greater Manchester, our members are wanting to see how this relationship with central government will work for the benefit of the city region and look at what other powers and funding the mayor could and should call for.”

He added: “With just four weeks to polling day there is a lot for the next government to contend with and, as with other elections, we shall be watching the party manifestos and working closely with local candidates to make sure that they understand what our members’ views are on some hugely important issues that don’t just impact on business but right across all sectors of society.”