Business leaders in Birmingham today urged a period of stability
as the new coalition government settles in.
Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (BCI), said: "We desperately need a period of
stability and look for measures that will encourage owners and
managers to have the confidence to invest in their businesses.
"This will in itself preserve jobs and create opportunities.
Businesses will also be encouraged by the scrapping of the proposed
increase in employers' National Insurance contributions next
year.
"We are particularly keen to hear plans for reducing Britain's
record £163 billion deficit and where the cuts will fall in
the Tories' proposed £6 billion of spending cuts this year.
This should be announced with the utmost speed to eliminate
doubt.
"There are lessons for the new government from our experience
here in Birmingham, where we have worked with a coalition council
for five years.
"It has become obvious to us that it is vital that parties park
their political prejudices and ensure that personalities of
different political persuasions quickly learn to work
together."