IQ-Magazine-Issue-12

IQ business overview
of employment in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.
Already, John Allan, national chairman of the
Federation of Small Businesses has talked about
the sea change amongst politicians who are finally
recognising the importance of smaller enterprises.
He highlighted the fact that, in 2014, the number
of small businesses exceeded five million for the
first time. More and more sole traders are taking
on their first employee and a considerable majority
of businesses expect to take on more employees this
year. The number of small businesses exporting is
also rising rapidly, and wages in personal services,
construction and agriculture – all significant sectors
in East Anglia – are on the rise.
Yet, there are problems which need to be addressed.
Businesses drew attention to the scandal of late
payment and to the remarkable revelation by
Premier Foods that they charged companies which
still wanted to be on their preferred supplier list.
That, surely, is one of the most punitive measures a
big business can make against those just starting
out on their way along the rickety road to
riches.
There are things, too, which need to be
addressed in Eastern England. Suffolk
Chamber of Commerce continues
its campaign to cut down on red
tape. It’s something politicians
promise to attack time and time again,
yet progress is sometimes agonisingly slow.
One aspect of this which the Chamber has
highlighted is the Prime Minister’s desire to cut
red tape while the Government puts into place
policy decisions about planning procedures which
actually increase the burden on business. Another
concern highlighted is the overhaul of planning
regulations contained within the National Planning
Policy Framework, with many small businesses
concerned that any new process within the localism
agenda should favour business and economic
development.
While construction on HS2, initially linking
London with Birmingham, could start within a
year or so, there’s pressure to better road and rail
links in eastern England. The New Anglia LEP,
along with the Suffolk Chamber, has been lobbying
for investment into the Great Eastern Main Line,
while upgrades to the A47 continue to top the local
business agenda.
There is, though, a degree of scepticism afoot.
The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement attracted
much fanfare, but John Bridge, chief executive of
Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce sought
out a dose of reality, suggesting that many of the
84 roads projects announced for England and
scheduled for completion by 2021 are, in fact, plans
which have already been announced and are merely
being dressed up as a new project. He suggested
that the political rhetoric needs to be tempered
with a sense of reality, mainly focussing on whether
in 2014, the number of small
businesses exceeded five million
for the first time. More and
more sole traders are taking
on their first employee and
a considerable majority of
businesses expect to take on
more employees this year.
these projects will be completed or, indeed, whether
they are ever likely to see the light of day. Again, it
is the long promised A14 improvements which are
on the wishlist.
The sad thing is that, whatever happens in May, not
much will happen before 2016.
Meanwhile, small businesses will continue to do
their bit . . . extremely effectively.
issue 12 | page 9