Dorset Chamber chief executive calls for radical economic reforms

Ian Girling, chief executive of the organisation, has called on the government to make radical reforms to the way businesses are taxed, how financial help is provided for small businesses and for more support for companies that export their products.

Mr Girling was speaking after a nationwide poll, the Quarterly Economic Survey, was conducted by the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) in which 7,000 businesses revealed the economy was growing but the pace had slowed in some industries, such as manufacturing.

Mr Girling said: “The latest Quarterly Economic Survey is a timely reminder that there are still challenges ahead and that sustained economic growth is not guaranteed.”

Key findings in the survey showed domestic sales and orders for manufacturing were down in July, August and September compared with April, May and June this year.

Sales balances showed a fall from 42 per cent to 23 per cent, while orders were down from 41 per cent to 24 per cent. Services remained at a historically high level, while export balances fell for manufacturing and services.

However, business confidence remained above pre-recession levels at 54 per cent while employment was also on the up to 32 per cent from 30 per in manufacturing and up by nine points to 28 per cent in services.

Mr Girling said: “Dorset businesses have shown great resilience and innovation over the past few years to weather the economic storm.

“Now they, like their counterparts nationwide, need the government’s support to ensure that they can continue to drive the growth necessary to ensure that we secure a lasting economic recovery.”

“This means reforms of business rates, greater access to finance for growing firms and more support for exporters, including many in Dorset.

“The Bank of England also needs to think very carefully about interest rate rises to avoid dampening business and consumer confidence.”

To see the full results of the survey, visit dcci.co.uk