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news opinion
Danger – slow traffic ahead. Prepare to slow down
There were signs, as we closed for press, that after what many business people reported was a vibrant Q1, companies started to take their foot off the gas in April as the General Election loomed.
By the time you read this, the Election will have happened – and presumably a political party, or perhaps a coalition of parties, will be running the country.
We won’t try and second- guess what the outcome might be, but we do know that – after uncertainty over both the Scottish referendum and the UK Election – the last thing that business wants is another poll.
Stability is the key ingredient
to get business confidence growing again. Whoever is in power should make that a priority – but of course if there is any sense of a referendum on our membership of the European Union, the turmoil will continue.
Already there is evidence of US companies holding back on investment into the UK until they know whether we will be in the single market, or outside it. If the possibility of an EU exit grows after the General Election, more multinational corporations might look at Britain as a risky location.
For the first few weeks of the Election campaign, the EU seemed to hardly figure in the debate – UKIP’s arguments notwithstanding – which was surprising given its importance. But as we will find out, Brussels won’t go away ...
David Murray Publisher
£107m Growth Deal for Thames Valley Berkshire
Former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine signed the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Deal at the LEP National Conference in London, joining Steve Lamb, chairman of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP.
Over the lifetime of the deal (2015-2021) the LEP estimates that up to 20,000 new jobs could be created, 12,000 new homes built and that it has the potential to generate £40 million of public and private investment.
Steve Lamb (left) with Lord Heseltine at the signing
The Thames Valley Berkshire Growth Deal is part of a long-term plan to devolve at least £12 billion from central government to local economies. The plan aims for every part of the country to be a motor of growth for the national economy – building on the strength of the Thames Valley Berkshire area.
Lamb commented: “This money now allows us to fully implement our ambitious Strategic Economic Plan for Thames Valley Berkshire – the funding unlocks several key schemes across our sub-region. This will enable the LEP and its partners to improve connectivity across its towns, reduce congestion, unlock private sector investment essential to economic growth and support the building of over 12,000 new homes.”
Details:
www.thamesvalleyberkshire.co.uk
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E.indd 1 THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2015 12/11/2013 16:12
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