By Alexis Krachai, President of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce.
There are moments when the business voice needs to be heard. I think this is one of those moments with so much uncertainty surrounding the economy. Get our pitch right and Sheffield’s business community can buck the trend and help the UK economy get on the right track.
There is no denying the UK government has stumbled out the blocks after a record win during last year’s general election. The Chancellor keeps saying the number one mission is economic growth. She then slaps on a hefty tax rise that will impact most on small businesses – the bedrock of the UK economy.
That confusion between mission and action have been an undercurrent in meetings since the last budget. Last month, the Chancellor stood up to set out the government’s growth agenda. The press reporting led on a third runway at Heathrow and an investment arc between Oxford and Cambridge. Brilliant; yet more investment in and around London.
Amidst the frustration many businesses are feeling… Amongst the confused messaging from government… how can the voice of business in Sheffield lead the way?
Firstly, we are home to some seriously powerful and influential business membership organisations. The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce is 1 of only 53 Chambers in the UK. We work closely with our colleagues in Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham. All the Chamber Chief Executives have the ear of the British Chamber of Commerce. The British Chamber of Commerce has the ear of the British government.
We need our business community to tell us what is important to them. In recent years we have worked more closely with the Company of Cutlers, Sheffield Digital, the Federation of Small Business and the Confederation of British Industry. That might read like alphabet soup to some, but it adds up to some potentially serious clout. That’s why when these organisations speak as one it matters. But what they say is up to you – the business community.
Secondly, for years Sheffield and South Yorkshire was at odds with the national government. Blue down there. Red up here. I am not going to get political in these pages but for the first time in a long time the Leader of Sheffield City Council and the Mayor of South Yorkshire are of the same party as the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Business Secretary.
Why does that matter? Because our local elected leaders need to hear from our business community so they can make the case and, unapologetically, get into the ribs of their colleagues down in Whitehall.
If a Labour government cannot get the economy in South Yorkshire firing on all cylinders, then the UK economy will be further stagnated as will Labour’s potential come the next general election.
Right now, there is a troubling picture of how the local economy is fairing, and since the Autumn, businesses report they have faced increasing challenges impacting upon survival potential, innovation investment, and job security and growth.
That’s worrying but also so frustrating. The key to economic growth is staring the government in the face. It is about unlocking the potential of small businesses in cities like Sheffield through reformed taxes, incentives to hire and incentives to invest.
If you agree. Get online and make your voice heard. Get in touch with your preferred business membership organisation. It’s not always about having a pop at our local leaders. It is about equipping them with the data and arguments they need to get the government to listen.
Sheffield’s businesses. Your country needs you.
