Responding to the Prime Minister’s Plan For Change, announced this morning, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“It was good to hear the Prime Minister double down on his commitment to grow the economy and highlight the importance of reforming the planning system.

“The target of 150 new infrastructure projects is one that business will welcome, with its potential to boost regions and reinvigorate supply chains. But there is still a huge gap between the what and the how and when.

“With a bruising budget forcing many firms to revisit their investment and hiring plans, the pathway to this promised growth needs to accelerate.

“The cost-of-living crisis and the cost of doing business – are two sides of the same coin. They can’t be dealt with in isolation. Boosting private sector investment is fundamental to improving the cost of living.

“That’s why it’s crucial that Government creates the right conditions for businesses to stay competitive and grow in communities across the UK.”

Professor Miranda Barker OBE DL, CEO at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, added:

“Infrastructure investment from government is essential. Businesses will continue to strive to compete on a global scale, but especially in the north and here in Lancashire, our firms’ competitiveness is stymied by poor connectivity – to move people, to move goods and to move data.

“We welcome any future commitments from the Government to invest, and would be delighted to help inform about where and how to achieve the best outcome for the UK economy.”