West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce is calling on the Chancellor to provide businesses with the breathing space they need to invest, recruit and grow.
Working through the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) network, the Chamber is ensuring that the experiences of businesses across West Cheshire and North Wales form part of the national case for change.
Feedback from Chamber members and responses to the Quarterly Economic Survey continue to show how rising employment, energy, tax and compliance costs are affecting confidence and limiting firms' ability to invest.
BCC research shows that domestic policy-driven costs for a typical SME have increased by more than 70% over the past decade, with around a quarter of that rise occurring since the 2024 Budget.
Its latest economic research also found that only 17% of SMEs are planning to increase investment this quarter-the lowest level recorded since the pandemic.
Three immediate priorities for the Budget
The Chamber's Budget submission calls on the Chancellor to “Back Business, Cut Costs and Deliver Growth” through three immediate measures:
Extend the zero rate of employer National Insurance contributions to employees aged between 21 and 24, reducing the cost of employing younger people and helping more of them enter the workplace.
Introduce targeted support to reduce business energy and business rates costs, including government funding for 75% of the Renewables Obligation on business electricity bills.
Restore consistent, locally delivered export support to help more SMEs enter new markets and navigate the complexities of international trade.
These immediate measures sit alongside longer-term calls for greater investment in skills and productivity, faster delivery of transport, energy and digital infrastructure, and a clear roadmap for the future of business taxation.
Sarah Bailey, Chief Executive Officer of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, said:
“Businesses across our region are ambitious and ready to grow, but many are finding that rising costs and continued uncertainty are narrowing their room to manoeuvre.
“Manufacturers, exporters, hospitality businesses and firms across the visitor economy experience these pressures in different ways, while smaller businesses often have the least capacity to absorb another increase.
“With just over a month until the Budget, the Chancellor has an opportunity to rebuild confidence by taking practical steps to reduce the cost of doing business and providing greater long-term certainty.
“Through our work with the British Chambers of Commerce, we are making sure the experiences of businesses across West Cheshire and North Wales reach national decision-makers. The Budget must back businesses that want to invest, create jobs and contribute to sustainable growth across our communities.”
A clear test for the Budget
The Chamber believes that every major tax, regulatory and spending decision should be judged against a simple test: will it reduce unnecessary costs, strengthen business confidence and support investment and growth?
For the cross-border economy of West Cheshire and North Wales, this must be accompanied by reliable transport and digital connectivity, access to skilled people, affordable energy, practical international trade support and a stable tax and regulatory environment.
Businesses also need certainty that nationally announced infrastructure, skills and economic development commitments will be delivered effectively at a regional and local level.
Businesses invited to calculate their own cost stack
Businesses can use the BCC Cost Stack Calculator to estimate how domestic policy-driven costs have changed for their organisation between 2016 and 2026.
The calculator uses information including staffing, turnover, electricity consumption and borrowing. Businesses can also submit their results to strengthen the evidence being presented to government. Results are illustrative and will vary according to the size and circumstances of each organisation.
Use the BCC Cost Stack Calculator
West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce will continue to gather evidence from its members and work with the BCC to champion policies that help businesses compete, invest and succeed.
With the Budget approaching, the Chamber's message is clear: back business, cut costs and deliver growth across every part of the country.
