Chamber boss and BCC network appeal to Chancellor for Autumn Statement action on key  economic issues

Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly is supporting the BCC’s letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ahead of the Autumn Statement this week.

THE Chief Executive of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce, Dr Ian Kelly, has joined colleagues in the Chamber network in writing to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to say now is the time to turn talk into investment.

The letter comes following the Chancellor’s recent discussions with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) on the priorities for businesses ahead of this week’s Autumn Statement. For local communities to thrive, they need business investment, but this has been too low for too long.

Dr Kelly said: “We are supportive of moves to relax some planning rules to boost economic growth and make it easier for businesses to get planning consent for their projects and we want to see the Freeport in the Humber accelerate its work in bringing in new investment and jobs like the Metsa Tissue plant at Goole.

“We also want to see the renewable electricity supply in the Humber develop more quickly to aid the transition to a lower carbon economy, with the Humber being one of the biggest emitters of carbon in Europe, while encouraging firms to invest in new technology and equipment is also a priority, as our Quarterly Economic Surveys regularly highlight.”

The wider Chamber network is reiterating its call for Mr Hunt to offer much-needed solutions to Britain's investment problems, and use the upcoming Statement to tackle the fundamental issues inhibiting growth in the UK: overhaul the planning system, upgrade the electricity grid, and make the full expensing policy permanent.

The letter from Chamber leaders across the country, says: “The Autumn Statement provides one of the last chances before the next election for this Government to show businesses, of all sizes, that you are taking the steps necessary to provide the long-term certainty and security businesses need to make investment decisions.

“The current economic climate businesses face is, to say the least, challenging. Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey – a poll of over 5,000 businesses – found that investment is flatlining as interest rate concerns continue to grow. For Q3 2023, the percentage of respondents reporting an increase to investment remains stuck at just 23%, while 45% are concerned about interest rates.

“To drive growth in local economies across the country, the BCC’s submission to HM Treasury – supported by the Chamber network – has focused on three key policy issues.

“First, planning. The planning system represents one of the biggest strangleholds on business investment, and it’s no secret that it needs urgent reform. It is vital that more resources are provided to planning departments, processes are streamlined, and the system incentivises, rather than disincentivises, economic growth. It is also essential that local plans and Government targets for development include designated areas where businesses can establish themselves – be that space for life sciences, factories, or retail. We need to build not only streets, but high streets and communities, and we’re calling on the Government to properly recognise this.

“Second, the grid. Thousands of businesses trying to invest in a low-carbon future are being told they will have to wait up to 15 years to connect to the electricity network. Energy investors have been clear that they will turn their back on the UK, with more attractive environments abroad luring them in. Businesses need cheap energy to be competitive, and they can’t get that energy without our grid being able to carry it to them. We welcome changes to the connections process announced by Ofgem this week, which will impose tougher delivery milestones on existing projects in the queue. However, Ministers must tackle this huge infrastructure problem head-on and upgrade the grid so it is fit for a net zero future.

“Third, full expensing. This temporary policy allows businesses to write off the cost of investment on qualifying plant and machinery in one go. For every pound a company invests, taxes are cut by up to 25p. The BCC and our Chambers network warmly welcomed this innovative policy when announced in the Spring Budget earlier this year. But currently, it only runs to 2026. As the OBR has recognised, this risks bringing forward investment plans already in the pipeline, without incentivising businesses to draw up new ones. It is new and increased investment that is urgently needed to boost GDP in the UK and to make the types of investment – like big infrastructure projects – that drive long-term and sustainable growth. While there are upfront costs, by boosting investment, jobs, and revenues, we expect that making full expensing permanent will have an overall net positive impact on the Government’s balance sheet.

“Through making these policy changes, we believe it will send a strong signal that Britain is open for business, drawing-in much-needed investment for communities up and down the country, enabling them to thrive. Business investment is the lifeblood of our local economies, creating jobs and supporting our public services. The potential to unlock opportunities across the UK is enormous and now is the time for the Government to act”.