Conservative Councillor Asks the Chancellor to Focus on Making Job Creation Easier

Cllr Philip Atkins

Speaking ahead of the Chancellor’s autumn statement tomorrow, the Leader of Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council, Cllr Philip Atkins, said great strides had already been made in Staffordshire to improve opportunity for residents through difficult financial times and that the Chancellor could support these with a few simple ideas.

Cllr Atkins said, “We run an efficient and effective organisation with limited resources and have made a significant positive impact through our transformation programme.  There are no quick-fix solutions to the financial situation this country is in; however, in Staffordshire we are proud of the steps we have taken to mitigate it for our residents.

“Most recently we have shown innovation which has been recognised nationally through our plans to create a joint venture with Capita to protect jobs and improve our education support services.  Our joint Make It Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire inward investment team continues to attract business to our area and help existing companies grow.

“Staffordshire is a prime location for business, from international leaders like JCB and Jaguar Land Rover to smaller enterprises which are the lifeblood of our local economy.  Clearly, business is good in Staffordshire and I would ask that the Chancellor looks at easing the regulatory burden and other pro-business measures that makes it easier to work with private businesses and encourage more companies to pick Staffordshire as a base from which to grow and expand.

“In Staffordshire we are an integral part of one of the most highly regarded local enterprise partnerships in the country and will be submitting a bid for one of the Government’s City Deals to bring more jobs and growth to Staffordshire.  If the Chancellor could ensure that any additional funding for local businesses and infrastructure is targeted through the council and the LEP this will ensure we can target resources in the most effective way to support local businesses.

“The Chancellor could also help with the on-going reduction in unemployment in Staffordshire.  Unemployment has fallen by around seven per cent over the last year in this county.  That’s why we will continue to focus on supporting businesses through initiatives such as our loans fund, developing our enterprise centres for start-up companies and signposting people to our business and apprenticeships advice line.

“If the Chancellor could ensure that small businesses are given a break from National Insurance contributions or increase the lending from the banks, I think it would be an early Christmas present for local firms.”