Responding to today’s statement by the Chancellor, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:  

“If businesses succeed, our communities prosper, the economy grows, and the wealth needed to support our public services is created.  

“Companies know that efficient management of public finances and services is a key factor in setting the framework for economic growth. 

“Infrastructure projects inject wealth into local areas and create jobs through supply chains, as well as having a multiplier effect on investment. 

“Firms will welcome the Government’s commitment to economic growth and will quickly want to get full sight of an industrial strategy to deliver this. They will want to know which projects will be cancelled, as maintaining momentum around business confidence is paramount. 

“Today’s statement fires the starting gun to the Autumn budget, and the BCC will be outlining our submission to Government in the coming weeks. We want to work in partnership with ministers to make the sure the budget maintains the UK’s business competitiveness. 

“The best way to grow the UK economy is by giving firms the financial headroom to expand. Firms need the capacity to invest in their businesses, workforce, local communities and the wider economy.”