Businesses 'must be urged to create jobs'

Date: 25/11/2011

Enterprises need greater support if they are to expand and create jobs.

This is according to chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce David Kern, who recently made comments many businesses looking to buy additional non-geographic numbers may agree with.

He suggested the government should continue with the deficit-cutting plan it currently has in place.

However, there is an "urgent need" for money to be allocated to policies that will encourage firms to take on new members of staff, make greater investments and consider exports.

"The Autumn Statement will provide the opportunity for the chancellor to make use of the flexibility that is available to him within the fiscal plan," Mr Kern stated.

He was commenting on the new gross domestic product (GDP) data released by the Office for National Statistics, which showed GDP increased by 0.5 per cent in the third quarter of 2011, a figure that was unchanged from the organisation's initial estimate.

Mr Kern said although this was expected, the results still give a "disappointing picture".