Chamber CEO Reacts to Autumn Statement

22 Nov 2023

Published in: Black Country Chamber of Commerce News

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Black Country Chamber CEO, Sarah Moorhouse reacts to the Autumn Statement

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“There were some positives from this autumn statement: we welcome the proposed sped-up planning process, the sped-up access to the national grid, and the full expensing policy being made permanent. These are all things that will benefit the businesses in the Black Country, along with the tax cuts for the self-employed.

"We were also especially pleased to hear of the new investment zone in the West Midlands, of which the Black Country has the Wolverhampton Green Innovation Zone. The construction of this zone has enormous potential for local businesses to be the suppliers, manufacturers and engineers of choice.

"However, the statement did not address staggering corporation tax for SMEs, or specify how an extra $50m of apprenticeship funding will be any different to the current Apprenticeship Levy, which has had a mixed reception. We will wait to see how the proposed tax cuts will truly impact businesses of all sizes.”