Marches chairman welcomes PM’s bid to cut red tape

THE chairman of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has welcomed the Prime Minister’s pledge to take the “brakes off business” in 2012 to help small enterprises thrive.

Geoffrey Davies said any moves to free SMEs of the burden of red tape were to be supported.

“More than 80% of businesses across the Marches are SMEs, employing fewer than five people, and these businesses probably provide the greatest opportunity for real growth. Any moves to free small firms from the stranglehold of health and safety red tape will really help support enterprise in this region,” he said.

His comments came prior to a visit to the Marches by David Cameron, who was paying his first official visit to the LEP area to meet companies in the new Enterprise Zone based at Rotherwas in Herefordshire.

Mr Cameron said: “I am determined that we do everything possible to take the brakes off business: cutting taxes; slashing red tape; putting billions into big infrastructure projects; making it much easier for British firms to get out there and trade with the world.

“And there is something else we are doing: waging war against the excessive health and safety culture that has become an albatross around the neck of British businesses. But for British businesses – especially the smaller ones that are so vital to the future of our economy – this is a massively important issue. Every day they battle against a tide of risk assessment forms and face the fear of being sued for massive sums. The financial cost of this culture runs into the billions each year.”

Mr Davies said he was delighted Mr Cameron had been able to see progress being made at the Rotherwas site.

“I’m pleased that Marches businesses had the opportunity to talk directly to the Prime Minister about the issues they are facing and their plans for the future,” he said.

The Marches LEP is tasked with creating the conditions for economic growth across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.