Responding to chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Statement, the managing director of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Martin Hathaway, said: 

“Labour’s first budget in 14 years delivered a disappointing but not surprising rise in employer National Insurance contributions, this coupled with the lowered threshold to start paying this tax will only increase the pressures on businesses. This will have a negative impact on confidence and may lead many to put a pause on any investment, recruitment or upskilling plans for the foreseeable future. 

“Despite this I am pleased to see a much needed 40 per cent relief on business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure. These sectors have struggled to recover since the disruption of Covid-19 with little support. We have seen the unfortunate closure of many shops, nightclubs and other leisure venues, as people are cutting back on day-to-day spending with the cost-of-living spike. These sectors are at the heart of so many communities, livelihoods and high streets so I am delighted to see a commitment to getting them back on a stable footing in today’s budget.  

“I was also reassured by the commitments to skills and schools. Without a solid foundation, we cannot hope to create the skilled workforce that our region needs for the future. Through our work with the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) here in West Yorkshire, we see first-hand the significant impact that poor skills provisions have on our businesses. Innovation slows, skilled workers move elsewhere for better opportunities and ultimately confidence and investment declines. Chancellor Reeves’ commitment to increase investment in schools’ core budgets, further education and breakfast clubs will help to set us up for a strong future. The ambition is here in West Yorkshire, we just need to skills and the support to achieve our full potential.  

“Moving on to transport, Reeves announced Labour’s commitment to see through the implementation of the TransPennine Route Upgrade, connecting Huddersfield, York, Leeds and Manchester. Our region has suffered for long enough with poor transport links, I hope that the Labour Government can step up and finally give our people the infrastructure they deserve to get to work, to get to school and to enjoy the incredible leisure offerings we have.

“I must commend Rachel Reeves as the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer in her first Budget, no matter your political view this is a welcome step for the Government and will hopefully inspire a new generation of female politicians for our country.”