BCC calls for new enterprise zones
A leading business group is warning that the UK could sleepwalk its way into a state of 'Two Nations' if the rest of the country does not adopt the same spirit of enterprise exhibited in London and the south east.
The warning comes from David Frost, the director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), who was speaking at his organisation's annual conference.
He pointed out that twice as many businesses are started in the Thames Valley as the Tees Valley and called for the introduction of new-style 'enterprise zones'.
Such initiatives were used successfully in the 1980s in parts of the country hit by the decline of heavy industries.
Mr Frost added:
"Should we not be experimenting in areas with the very worst levels of dependency now - high unemployment, high levels of incapacity benefits and low levels of enterprise - with new-style zones where companies that start up could be exempt not just from business rates but from employment legislation and National Insurance contributions?"
