Protecting Bristol Airport from any unfair competition created by the devolution of Air Passenger Duty power to Wales is among the projects the region’s leading business organisation Business West wants addressed by the next Government.
Business West, which runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce and the Bristol Initiative, has launched its own ‘business manifesto’ putting the case for the business to all Parliamentary candidates in May’s General Election.
It sees the election as critical both nationally and for the local business community. Informed by ongoing consultation with its 18,000 business members, the manifesto lays out a set of ‘asks’ of potential local MPs and of the incoming government, covering 15 areas. 
These are framed by an absolute requirement for our political leaders to place the economy and business at the heart of their plans.
Business West managing director Phil Smith, pictured, said: “This Business Manifesto also recognises that our cities, towns and counties are in competition with other parts of the UK – competition for people and skills; for business and jobs and for investment.
“We argue the case for improvements to our hard and soft infrastructure. With Scotland, Manchester and Wales already promised extra powers and investment, we must make sure that our region is not disadvantaged. Our vision is for the region to be a more confident, more enterprising, more skilled place to start and grow a business.
“The decisions taken by local and national politicians in the next Parliament will have a crucial impact on future prosperity. Our asks are predicated on our position that economic growth and business success must not come at the price of inequalities, environmental or societal cost if our region is to be the best place to run a business, to work and to live.”
More information is contained in the Business Manifesto 2015. Click here to download a pdf version of the manifesto.
