Businesses call on new government for support

Businesses in the South West have been sharing their thoughts on the prime minister's future plans

Businesses in the South West have been sharing their thoughts on the new prime minister's future plans for their company and those similar.

Keir Starmer's Labour Party has promised to prioritise business investment and to make the planning system easier to navigate.

Bosses across Cornwall have called on the newly-formed government for more support and honesty.

Arran Martin, from Giant Slip and Slide Cornwall said: "The cost of planning, the assessments that need to be put in place for businesses like this one - I'd like that to be simplified."

He added: "What I want is access to finance to help businesses that are succeeding, to grow and help more people."

John Brown, CEO of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said he hoped there would be "increased attention" being paid into the world of renewable energy.

He said: "We can't ignore some of the backbone of this economy: tourism, hospitality and agriculture.

"The agricultural community needs consistency and clarity - there's an enormous amount that can be done at a central government level to help the Cornish economy thrive.

"It's about paying attention, being clear and being honest with us about what we can get."

Labour had promised before the election to overhaul the business rates system to help revitalise high streets.

However, new Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she was inheriting a depleted economy from the Conservatives that would create a “challenge” for the new government.

“There’s not a huge amount of money there,” Ms Reeves told the BBC. “I know the scale of the challenge I inherit.”

Ms Reeves said she would lean on the private sector to cover the shortfall.