Chamber responds to Autumn Budget 2025

Responding to the Autumn Budget, West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce’s head of representation and policy Mark Casci, said:

“Given the hugely challenging tax increases introduced 12 months ago at the last Budget, businesses have been very anxious about what would be imposed this year.

“While no broad-based new taxes are to be imposed, very few have been reduced.

“Given taxation on business remains at a generational high and are continuing to make life highly challenging for business owners, it would have been an ideal opportunity for the Chancellor to have offered some relief.

“Increases in the minimum wage will pose yet more challenges for employers, particularly in the hospitality sector.

“We welcome support for both the Northern Growth Corridor and for Northern Powerhouse Rail. However, we do need to see this support turn to actual details and timescales so that these long-standing promises on east-west connectivity by successive Governments are finally realised.

“The announcement that there is to be increased investment into improving planning capacity will be welcomed by the development community, as will the news that there are plans to cut electricity bills for manufacturers who have endured sky high utility bills for several years.

“The news that £13bn is going towards seven mayors for skills and business programmes will be welcomed in both West and North Yorkshire. The chancellor also confirmed the Leeds City Fund, which will allow greater levels of cash for regeneration schemes, including the South Bank development.

“We must also note that growth forecasts have been rated down by the OBR. An empowered private sector, freed from high levels of taxation and labour costs, will be able to improve these forecasts and achieve the growth we need in this region and this country.

“Businesses need confidence to invest and grow, and making this happen has to be top of the Government’s to do list.”