VOICE OF BUSINESS
The Chamber has continued to be busy over the summer, in what continues to be a challenging political and business environment for our members. At a national level, the appointment of a new Prime Minister and the majority of the Cabinet, was accompanied by a flurry of new policy announcements, most of which have been overshadowed by the ongoing debate around Brexit and unprecedented scenes in Parliament.
The Chamber has made it a priority to cut through the white noise of Whitehall and focus on those issues which really have an impact on local business, working with our Business Policy Committee, International Trade Club and Responsible Business Forum as well as local partners.
HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail
Voice of Business Providing a true, trusted and authentic voice for our members.
Responding to announcements relating to the future of HS2, Chamber CEO Paul Cherpeau, outlined the Chamber’s position in the local media, reflecting both the national Chamber position as well as that of the Combined Authority, that a connected North investing in both HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail represents an outstanding opportunity to catalyse further
economic growth in the Liverpool city region. The Chamber continues to support the view that improving infrastructure is an investment, not a cost, and that it is in all our interests for the private and public sectors to reiterate our support for a better connected Northern region to ensure that we maintain and improve our region’s competitive advantage for the attraction of inward investment, trade and talent.
Connectivity within the city region The Chamber was delighted to facilitate a dinner with Stagecoach as part of a series of national events they are holding. The dinner brought together business representatives from a wide range of sectors looking at issues which impact on the attractiveness of the city region as a place to live, work, study, visit and invest – all of which impact on our ability to deliver sustainable and
inclusive economic growth. The feedback has been extremely positive and we are planning to hold similar events, which allow members to discuss key issues with decision makers and delivery partners. We are currently developing our events programme for 2020 and would welcome input from members on those issues which impact most on their business.
City Centre Connectivity Scheme We are so delighted to report that, following the consultation we covered in the last edition of Well Connected, revised plans have been announced which will retain some peak time bus services to the major commercial districts around Dale Street, James
Street, Lord Street and Hanover Street. We are waiting to see the detail but it is encouraging that the concerns of business, highlighted by the Chamber, have been acknowledged. Thanks to those members who took part in the survey!
You can read about other policy initiatives, including our work around schools engagement and Brexit elsewhere in the Magazine. If you would like to find out more about the policy work of the Chamber, including our engagement with the Combined Authority, Liverpool City Council and key stakeholders, please contact Michelle Cameron, Senior Policy and Communications Advisor. michelle.cameron@liverpoolchamber.org.uk
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