‘Battered and bruised’ Shropshire businesses need some respite

Shropshire’s ‘battered and bruised’ business community is in desperate need of some good news from the Chancellor’s spring statement today, according to the county’s chamber of commerce.

“Employers hold the key to unlocking the economic growth that the Government is seeking – but they can’t do this if they feel they are being hammered with extra costs,” said chief executive Ruth Ross.

“Rachel Reeves needs to pull ever lever possible this week, and in the coming months, to give Shropshire businesses an incentive to step up their investing, recruiting and exporting.”

From next week, firms face what Ruth described as ‘an unpalatable menu’ of higher national insurance and minimum wage bills, alongside the spectre of potential American tariffs.

“The results of our latest quarterly economic survey showed that the fallout from the November budget is hanging over the Shropshire business community like a black cloud,” she said.

“One of the biggest concerns voiced in the survey was April’s upcoming rise in employer National Insurance contributions, and companies across several sectors talks of having to consider redundancies.”

She added: “We support the British Chambers of Commerce’s call for the chancellor to outline a wider tax roadmap, which includes national insurance and business rates, giving firms a clearer idea of when costs will be lowered.”

Shevaun Haviland, director general of the BCC, said: “Businesses also want to see faster movement on infrastructure development and renewed support for exports, including a UK/EU reset that removes trade barriers.

“The Government must do all it can to minimise costs and complexity for business from the proposed Employment Rights legislation.”

Pic: Ruth Ross – Shropshire Chamber