FIRMS in the North-East need positive action from the Government in the Budget to speed up the recovery.
The North-East Business Barometer, the largest quarterly economic survey of its kind in the region, shows that businesses are beginning to adapt to the changed economic circumstances, but need to see Chancellor Alistair Darling take targeted action to improve conditions in the Budget, on April 22.
The data, compiled by the North-East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), comes after the business organisation called for measures to support employment and investment, develop infrastructure and simplify administration for businesses in its fiscal policy report published last month.
Among them is the reinstatement of full relief from empty property rates (EPR), which NECC is calling for in conjunction with The Northern Echo in the Building on Success campaign.
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