Sixty-eight per cent of businesses in the West Midlands have
suffered disruption to their working day through power cuts in the
last two years, a survey by Birmingham and Solihull Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (BCI) reveals.
Forty-one per cent of West Midlands businesses stated that over
the past two years, power cuts have occurred up to five times which
has caused serious disruption in production and training, a loss of
productivity from the workforce and subsequent equipment
problems.
Seventy-four per cent said they had received no explanation
about the cause of the cuts.
Will Rogers, policy advisor at BCI, said: "With 85 per cent of
businesses having no back up power generation, it is imperative
that energy suppliers, public bodies and local councils do more to
support the business community."
The survey comes as Birmingham City Council is publishing its
declaration on climate change which will underline the city's
ambition to be at the forefront of the effort to tackle issues
around sustainability, both nationally and internationally.
Birmingham City Council's declaration will be promoted to
delegates from around the world at the UN Climate Change Summit in
Copenhagen this month.