Chamber News: Members' Views Heard in Westminster

Chris Fletcher, Deputy Chief Executive

The Chamber’s Chief Executive, Clive Memmott, Deputy Chief Executive, Chris Fletcher and Policy Advisor, Baroness Beverley Hughes, recently met with Greater Manchester MPs in Westminster for the latest in the series of regular briefings. Baroness Beverley Hughes describes the visit:

“We used this opportunity to discuss the findings from the latest Quarterly Economic Survey of Chamber members, always an important barometer for MPs of trends affecting their constituents. MPs would like to see if it is possible to include an analysis of the retail sector alongside the manufacturing and services sectors reported in the QES and Dr Brian Sloan, the Chamber’s Chief Economist, is looking at the feasibility of doing so in future.

“There was obvious concern amongst the MPs about the impact of the current economic situation on the vitality of their town centres and we agreed to return to this topic at a future meeting.

“We were also able to brief MPs on developments in the City Deal and the focus on young people, as well as the successful bid under the Employer Owned Skills Initiative and the Skills and Employment Hub being developed jointly by the Chamber and the New Economy team.

“Other matters discussed included the Heseltine Review, the recent Greater Manchester Poverty Commission report and the economic impact in the region of further public sector spending cuts and the next round of welfare changes due in April.

“These meetings are an important part of the Chamber’s Action for Business programme on behalf of our members, bringing the views and needs of businesses to elected representatives and policy-makers, and several MPs have initiated debates and raised questions in Parliament on the issues in our current Action for Business campaign.”

For more information about the Chamber’s Action for Business work, email chris.fletcher@gmchamber.co.uk