Measures to directly benefit business must be at the heart of the Government’s Autumn Statement, according to Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
The Chamber has called for bold initiatives when the Chancellor reveals details of his spending plans on Wednesday November 25.
It wants to see the annual statement – the most important financial announcement of the year after the Budget – tackle business rates, taxation, skills gaps and finance.
DCCI chief executive Ian Girling said: “Dorset businesses and their counterparts across the country, particularly SMEs, are the powerhouse of the economy.
“They have helped drive the continuing recovery and will continue to do so at a good pace with the right support from the Chancellor.
“This means placing business at the heart of the budget. This will not only help drive growth going into 2016 but create a more resilient economy amid an increasingly uncertain international situation.
“The China slowdown and continued Eurozone weakness as well as recent terrorist attacks are stark reminders that we still need to nurture the economy against potential threats to stability.”
DCCI, the voice of business in Dorset, has backed a British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) demand for fundamental structural changes to boost exports as well as investment and productivity.
These include fixing a dysfunctional business finance system and delivering business infrastructure fit for the 21st century, including investment in rail, digital networks and long-term energy security.
Other priorities include closing skills gaps to enable young people to succeed and for businesses to compete on the global stage as well as cutting red tape in business tax administration.
DCCI is the only chamber in Dorset accredited to the BCC. Members feed in views and opinions to the BCC through its quarterly economic survey.
Sitting at the heart of a powerful network of 52 accredited chambers of commerce nationwide, the BCC has influence at the highest level of Government.
DCCI is the county’s leading business support organisation with about 800 members representing 37,000 employees.
The Autumn Statement and Comprehensive Spending Review is at 12.30pm on Wednesday November 25.
