Election 2015: How Yorkshire businesses have suffered

Bdaily is continuing to ask businesses throughout Yorkshire about what they want and expect from the forthcoming general election, in a weekly roundup.

As mentioned just last month, more than 100 of the country’s most senior business figures, a number of whom are based in Yorkshire, signed a letter to back Conservatives over the economy.

Therefore Bdaily is trying is uncover if Labour is losing significant support from the region they are so used to dominating.

After looking the turbulent property market in Yorkshire last week, Bdaily has now received comments from business leaders throughout the region on what has been their biggest challenges from the current government, as well as this election, and what changes need to be made.

Deborah Stock, Direct Carers Ltd in Beverley, Humberside, said she would like:

“I would love to see a Government in place who really cared about small businesses and in particular entrepreneurs. The make-up of an entrepreneur can be as diverse as the products and services they sell and without the “get up and have a go” spirit of these type of people our world would come to a grinding halt!! Banking structures to accommodate the ideas will help entrepreneurs realise and create wealth in their own communities by providing jobs and money coming into their regions.

“My business centres around the care sector and it seems a shame that every government and local council appear to be reactive in this arena rather than being proactive and helping the informal carers who support the cared for and then slash the spending allowance of local councils in Social Care so the owners of the agencies who support them have to think of innovative new ways and opportunities to save money and then get the bank’s door closed in their face because the business plan didn’t meet the criteria!!

“Recruitment in this arena is particularly difficult because of the low wages offered to carers even though they are at time life savers. Unfortunately, as the cuts continue and more hidden taxes come our way like the new Pension regulations, agencies then have to find more money to pay the government whilst getting paid less from the local authority – it is an impossible circle.

More needs to be done to support the informal carers and there are numerous white papers talking about additional training but nothing ever comes of it!! As someone who has been an informal carer and then opened an agency to offer a choice when needing support at home – I have seen first-hand the devastation of having someone at home who needs support can cause and unfortunately without these unpaid carers the government would have a much more serious problem on their hands. I have so many solutions to this problem, that would save the government and the NHS billions and billions but trying to get near a local MP or someone in Parliament is harder than getting an appointment at the GP surgery!! I would like a more open parliament where the people who are actually doing the work and living in the real world get to give their solutions and are given an opportunity to try a proactive idea rather than a reactive government who throws good money after bad keeping people’s mouths shut!!“

Neil Addley, Managing Director of Trusted Dealers, on what he wants to see in the election:

“This could be one of the most important elections of our time and the recent manifesto launches have shown how political parties are trying to secure as many votes as they can with a range of policies to benefit voters.

“We know from history the important role motorists play in deciding elections and at a time when it is too close to call it would be great to see some strong motoring and transport policies included in the politicians’ pledges to ensure a fairer deal for Britain’s drivers.

Whilst politicians may focus on High Speed Rail and addressing high train fares, drivers are still suffering from high insurance costs, historically high fuel prices and a lack of infrastructure investment.

“Whoever comes to power in May should continue the current government’s £15bn pledge to invest in road building and maintenance. The country’s roads are riddled with potholes costing both motorists and councils money.

“Some of the parties have used their manifestos to focus on making motoring more environmentally-friendly which is good news for those with zero emission vehicles, whilst insurance fraudsters will be cracked down upon, which should help bring down premiums.

Too often motorists are forgotten about when they pump some £100billion into the UK economy – it’s time the parties recognise this and make policies work for drivers.“

David Anderson, Sales and Marketing Director at Rixonway Kitchens, added:

“It has been interesting to see the important role housing has played in recent manifesto launches and policy announcements and I think it is vital that this continues into the next government. As housing waiting lists across the country grow, politicians need to be addressing the lack of social and affordable housing for both private renters and social housing tenants.

“Our work in the sector means we are well-placed to see first-hand the impact a lack of affordable housing can have and this needs to be addressed.

“I would also like to see politicians continue to recognise the importance of Northern businesses – there has been a lot of talk of Northern powerhouses but we would like to see the new government pledge more investment and support for businesses employing apprentices and those working in vital industries including manufacturing and engineering.

“Here at Rixonway we are committed to providing employment opportunities for the local community and place a real emphasis on recruiting apprentices. The Budget promised a range of policies to support businesses who provide apprenticeships and I would hope the next government honours this promise and builds on it for the future.”