BCC Reaction to Liberal Democrat Party Manifesto

16th April 2015

Commenting on the Liberal Democrat Party manifesto and the policies proposed, Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of the British Chambers of Commerce said: -It is good to see that the Liberal Democrats' policy proposals include a commitment to investing in infrastructure, improving access to finance by expanding the Business Bank, and greater support for firms to grow apprenticeship numbers.

Companies also badly want to see the promised 'broad and well considered business rates review' materialise. -Continued Liberal Democrat opposition to expansion of airport capacity is short-sighted when the need is so critical. "Businesses will also be concerned by a number of Lib Dem tax proposals. Restricting entrepreneurs' relief, hiking dividend taxes and slashing annual allowances for Capital Gains Tax, could have a chilling effect on growth. The last thing the UK needs is tax changes that discourage entrepreneurial risk-taking by startup and growth companies.