North West businesses are calling on the Chancellor to prioritise skills when she delivers her first Budget, according to the latest data from Lloyds’ Business Barometer.
When asked what areas they’d like to see prioritised to support their business, 44% said addressing skills shortages and training needs. Just over two-fifths (43%) said they were hoping for a competitive tax system that incentivises growth, while 31% wanted incentives to invest in their research and development.
To support the prosperity of the North West’s economy more generally, firms again most want the Chancellor to prioritise addressing the region’s skills shortage and training needs (42%) and a competitive tax system that incentivises local growth (41%), while also seeking improved access to secure and quality housing (40%).
And, with the UK pressing ahead with decarbonisation, 49% would like the government to prioritise support for businesses looking to adopt or expand sustainable supply chain practices to help them align with the UK national target of net zero by 2050.
Jenny France, area director in the North West at Lloyds, said: “Firms across the region have said that they are hoping that their priority areas of addressing skills shortages and a competitive tax system that incentivises growth are supported in the Budget.
“These priority areas are seen by businesses as crucial to help drive their operations. At Lloyds, we remain committed to supporting our customers to help to help them reach their growth aspirations.”
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
