Andrew Tyrie, recently met with local businesses at a Sussex Enterprise lunch in Chichester Cathedral. Mr Tyrie addressed members on a number of issues, including planning, infrastructure, regulation, access to finance and tax.
Mr Tyrie also spoke about his Chairmanship of the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards which is scrutinising the Government’s Banking Reform Bill.
Speaking after the event, Andrew Tyrie MP said: “I had an excellent discussion with a number of local firms. Ultimately, their interests are everybody’s: it is small firms which are providing most of the new jobs locally and nationally. We need a single-minded focus from the Government to make their lives easier.”
Farid Ahmed, Chairman of the Chichester Chamber of Commerce, said: “The business community, which I represent on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, wants to work constructively with the local authorities on their development proposals for the area. We are here to assist and promote, not obstruct, and therefore will support what is good but must also challenge what appears to be to the detriment of business.”
“We are delighted that our local MP has such excellent business experience, something of a rarity in modern political circles.”
Sussex Enterprise is one of the largest Chambers of Commerce in the Country, supporting over 2,000 member companies. A range of industries were represented by business leaders from construction, accounting, financial services, and higher education.
At the meeting, reference was made to the strategic development plans for the local area. Businesses made it clear that public bodies should have proper regard for the economic consequences of their decisions.
Infrastructure is one of the most common causes of concern for the local business community. Congestion on the A27 and access from the Manhood Peninsula is thought to be continuing to hamper local growth.
The willingness of banks to lend to small businesses was also raised, as well as retrospective taxation, which Mr Tyrie has previously expressed concern about in his capacity as Chairman of the Treasury Select Committee.