fund all promised Lancashire Town Deals and the various £20m 10-year Long Term Plans for Towns already in delivery.”
Wayne adds: “We need a government that fully commits to long-term business investment projects that are tax attractive to allow businesses to invest in tech, infrastructure and automation.”
John Chesworth, executive chairman of Harrison Drury Solicitors and chair of the Preston Partnership board, says: “If we don’t have the cash we can’t fix the NHS, properly educate our children and defend our shores. Therefore, a focus on economic growth has to be a top priority.”
His three wishes to help deliver the growth are: “A clear industrial strategy. This seems to have been absent for some years. Lancashire businesses need some leadership on where the country is heading so they can play their part in building the economy of the future.
“Investment in key infrastructure required for growth in key sectors like green energy, such as grid connections to unlock the potential for solar and wind.
“While the levelling-up money that has come into Lancashire is welcomed, the process has not been one that lends itself to longer
route to entering the housing market.”
His third wish is funding support to help open up more strategic employment sites throughout Lancashire. Tim says: “Ground issues and infrastructure costs can sometimes be prohibitive and stall a project. Help with abnormals and infrastructure costs to deliver these important sites would be extremely helpful.”
Rupert Gatty is founder and chief executive of Blackburn-based temperature-controlled van specialist Coolkit.
He wants the new government to: “Bring stability to the nation’s commitment to net zero especially in terms of cessation of sales of combustion engine vehicles.
“Hone plans to prise the long-term non- working population off benefits and into work to permanently address the labour shortage.
“Accelerate measures to reduce the red tape associated with post-Brexit vehicle compliance.”
Babs Murphy, chief executive at North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, points to its wide-ranging business manifesto and its asks.
It calls on the government to invest in Blackpool Airport to support its development as “a hub for air traffic and digital industries”.
We need a government that fully commits to
long-term business investment projects that are tax attractive to allow businesses to invest in tech, infrastructure and automation
term strategic economic planning. Longer term consistent funding for investment in the regions is essential and I would hope to see a commitment towards this.”
Tim Webber, chairman and managing director of Nelson-based Barnfield Construction, starts his asks with a plea for a more user-friendly planning system and the cutting of red tape surrounding the whole process.
He says: “It feels like instead of getting easier, we seem to be putting more obstacles in the way and this is causing a real problem in bringing forward industrial, commercial and residential developments. We need to find some way to short cut the system and not make it more onerous.”
Tim adds: “Stamp duty is an ongoing issue and something that could be reviewed by the new government. Particularly around first-time buyers, this would enable people an easier
The chamber wants to see the apprenticeship levy process simplified with clear guidance to businesses so they can effectively utilise the funds to support apprenticeship programmes.
It also wants to broaden its application to allow spending to be used for other approved, non- apprenticeship upskilling and reskilling sources.
And it is calling for Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) to be extended to 2028, “to continue their progression within the employment and education sectors and positive work they are doing.”
Rob Binns, entrepreneur, group chief executive of Cotton Court in Preston and Lancashire chairman of Downtown in Business, says: “I would like to see the government make investing in startups and expanding businesses more attractive and straightforward.
Continued on Page 8
Miranda Barker
Wayne Wild LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
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