Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s managing director has congratulated Labour on its General Election victory – and has urged the new Government to invest in rural areas.
Suzanne Caldwell said the chamber would work in partnership with the new Government to support businesses and drive growth in Cumbria.
She said: “On behalf of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, I’d like to congratulate the Labour Party on their victory.
“The result of the election is a clear and decisive majority for Labour – hopefully this mandate can be used to provide stability and a clear direction for the UK economy. This is important for businesses.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with the new government and with our local MPs here in Cumbria, to ensure growth and prosperity for our businesses and our region.
“Our members and the wider business community form the backbone of our communities and local economy. Ensuring that these businesses have a solid foundation on which to grow and flourish must be at the heart of the new government’s industrial strategy.
“We need to see action from the new government to invest in our infrastructure and transport links and digital connectivity for our rural areas.
“Our work on the Cumbria Local Skills Improvement Plan has highlighted the many recruitment and skills challenges businesses in Cumbria face. We look forward to continue working on initiatives that will ensure businesses can access the training and talent they need to thrive – and to support for that.
“On a national level, the Chamber Network has called on the new government to support businesses to harness the power of new technologies including AI, invest in green technologies and move forward with pledges to reform business rates and improve our trading relationship with the EU.
“Thriving local businesses deliver a positive impact on our places and our people.
“Alongside this, it’s important to acknowledge and say thank you for their work on behalf of Cumbria and Cumbrian businesses to the MPs who have moved on, whether standing down or losing in yesterday’s election.”
