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Latest News
Date: 19/02/2010 13:14:33
UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURERS WORRYING
Commenting on the labour market figures, published recently, Babs Murphy, Chief Executive of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce said:
“While these figures are broadly welcome, they hide some worrying trends: Full-time employment continues to fall; the number of people working part-time is at a record high; there was a large increase in those claiming benefits; and inactivity has risen further.
“The gap between public and private sector wages is unacceptably large, reinforcing the need for a freeze in the overall public sector wage bill, which will be a key measure in reducing Britain’s unsustainable budget deficit.
“The economy is still very weak, and there is clearly no justification for an immediate tightening in monetary policy. The forthcoming Budget provides the Government with a perfect opportunity to introduce measures that will support businesses’ ability to increase employment – with particular emphasis on full-time jobs. It should start by scrapping the hike in employer National Insurance Contributions, planned for next year, and substitute it for a 1% rise in VAT.”
Latest News -- Latest News from the Chamber (0 )
UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURERS WORRYING 
19/02/2010
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Voting Poll
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Current polls2. In the run up to polling day we are asking visitors to the site to give their responses to some of the big questions of the election 2010 campaign. Which Party do you feel would be best for business?
3. Will a conservative Administration be good for business in Lancashire?
4. Have the measures set out in the budget done enough to help business?
5. Has the measures set out in the budget done enough to help business
6. Has your bank increased the cost of borrowing or arrangement fees in the past two months?
7. Has you business been a victim of vehicle crime (defined as deliberate damage to a company vehicle or theft from a company vehicle) in the past 12 months?
8. Hundreds of members of the Unite Union are due to walk out from 0600 BST on Friday until 0600 the following Tuesday in a dispute over pay. The drivers work for Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, haulage firms employed by Shell to deliver fuel to its forecourts across the UK. We would greatly appreciate your answer to just one question so we can conduct a snap poll. Faced with a fuel strike on Friday, will your business stockpile on fuel?
9. How serious do you consider the problem of crime against your business?
10. Do you agree with the concept of road pricing where the aim of the charge is to reduce congestion (providing that all income raised is ploughed back into improving the transport infrastructure)?
11. The road fund licence is a flat rate tax paid by all motorists irrespective of the number of miles they may drive each year. Abolishing the road fund licence and increasing the cost of fuel to compensate would benefit low mileage motorists whilst ensuring high mileage motorists pay more in fuel duties. Do you agree with the proposal to abolish the road fund licence and increase the cost of fuel to compensate?
12. 84% of companies responding to a recent Chamber survey stated that the road network was essential to their business. And yet transport failures cost the average business £27K a year. What would be your preferred solution to reduce congestion on our roads? Would you prefer to reduce demand by: Or would you prefer to increase road capacity by:
13. All three major political parties are currently debating the future of the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI). Which of the following three statements do you agree with?
14. Next month the National Minimum Wage will increase from £4.50 to £4.85. Will the increase have:
15. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is consulting on what should go into the 2005 Budget. What should be his main priority?
16. The Government is considering changing the way in which business rates are collected. Which should be done?
17. What should be done to relieve congestion on the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester?
18. Since the new postal arrangements came into force, is your business receiving postal deliveries
19. Is the current postal crisis affecting your business with:
20. Insurance premiums continue to rise at an alarming rate and many businesses find themselves at risk of operating outside the law when they cannot either arrange or afford Occupiers Liability Insurance. Are you continuing to struggle with escalating insurance premiums?
21. The Future of Local Government. Please choose one of the three following options.
22. The European Commission are debating the idea of introducing 'made in the EU' labels’ which may soon be stuck on UK manufactured goods. businesses fear that such a label would damage reputations and would detract from prestige associated with certain regions in the UK. Do you agree with the introduction?
23. Business Crime is a serious and costly issue. Over the last year, have you experienced an increase or decrease in business related crime
