Pictured: Christine Braddock
Credit easing is one answer to encouraging growth and creating
jobs say business leaders as the latest unemployment figures show
that the West Midlands still has the second lowest level of
employment in the UK, currently standing at 67.9 per
cent.
In a recent survey by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group two
thirds of businesses are still saying they have difficulty
accessing credit. Christine Braddock, president of Birmingham
Chamber of Commerce said early clarification on how credit easing
is going to work would be beneficial.
She said: "Lending to SMEs will lead to investment and growth
which in turn will create jobs which in light of the latest
employment figures is what the West Midlands desperately
needs."
Mike Ashton, spokesman for the West Midlands Chambers of
Commerce, said: "Businesses across the West Midlands have
demonstrated their ambition to expand and create the jobs that the
region needs. We welcome the Government announcement on credit
easing and wait with anticipation on how the initiative will work
in practice."