Extend energy price cap to small businesses, Cornwall tells new Prime Minister
The Duchy's Chamber of Commerce is sending a clear message to the new Tory leader
Last updated 5th Sep 2022
Cornwall's Chamber of Commerce is sending a clear message to help small businesses, to whoever our new Prime Minister might be.
The organisation wants to see the household energy price cap extended to ALL SMEs across the Duchy.
Chief Exec Kim Conchie has warned many are struggling to stay afloat and said: "I heard of one pub in Falmouth where the increase in their energy costs over a year would be 1.2 million pounds - increase in energy costs. There's no way a small business, most small businesses in Cornwall, can find that in their margins".
Kim is also calling for more clarity and plan of action on 'Levelling Up' funding for Cornwall.
He said: "We don't get the grants from government, we don't get the transport infrastructure, we don't get the healthcare - all of these things suffer the further you get away from London and the South East and that's just not acceptable in a first-world country where we should all be benefitting from the same level".
Full message from Cornwall Chamber of Commerce
Kim Conchie, CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said: "After many years of government neglect and in an era of labour shortages, SMEs are paddling against the tide to meet demand and stay afloat.
"Productivity is a huge issue. With the support of EU nationals which Cornwall so heavily relied on, no-longer an option, businesses need to work smarter and tap into automation efficiencies.
"The UK is at the bottom of the list in terms of productivity among G7 counterparts – and unfortunately, that is in no small part due to Cornwall and our recruitment challenges.
"Our businesses are doing brilliant things but across all sectors they are struggling to find the people and skills needed to keep things thriving.
"Productivity is core to the solution. We need innovation funding at this critical time to find better ways of working.
"To the next Prime Minster, do what your predecessors have failed to do and put innovation funding at the top of the agenda".