Today’s announcement that the UK economy grew in the 4^th Quarter of 2009 reflects what many of our members are telling us. Business confidence is beginning to return and the market is improving.

The Chamber’s latest QES results also reported signs of growth in both the manufacturing and service sectors, however many feel that the recovery is fragile and as growth in the 4^th quarter was only measured at 0.1%, the Chamber believes there is still a significant way to go before we see full economic recovery.

Stimulating sustainable economic growth is a key priority for the Chamber, which is why we will continue to lobby the Government and other political parties to make business success their number one priority in the forthcoming election campaigns, and introduce policies which will help business. Red-tape and tax increases, such as the planned rise in National Insurance, are major barriers to business growth. We need to see commitment from all the political parties that they will remove these burdens and let the wealth creating private sector drive this country towards recovery