SSR NEWS
KEN CLARKE COMES TO TOWN
Ken Clarke, the Shadow Business Secretary recently addressed a Forum of local businesses, at which SSR Planning was represented. As always, some of the most interesting points came out in the question and answer session and included those on:
- The housing market: With a local agent reporting that the worst appeared to have passed, although things were still a long way from normal. Mr Clarke thought it was inconceivable that interest rates could remain at the current level and he was concerned about “quantitative easing” resulting in hyper inflation and interest rate increases. Consequently, he was cautious about the wisdom of first time buyers entering the property market at this time; the related affordability issues; whilst recognising the pent up demand for owner occupation.
- Quantitative Easing might be an appropriate short term measure but once recovery starts, it will be essential to “throttle back” on public investments.
- The use and abuse of Phoenix Companies: Mr Clarke thought there was a case to consider the insolvency law and the argument for introducing a system comparable to Section 11 in the US.
- The banks and their lack of help for SMEs and lack of competition amongst those which remained was a big issue. The case was made for the nationalised banks to be broken up into smaller units before being privatised, to secure the competition sought.
At the end, each table was asked to come up with one proposal a new Conservative government could introduce to assist business. All the usuals were there – public sector pensions; reduction in red tape’ etc – but I managed to ensure planning delays got a mention and that the Conservative’s emerging emphasis on localism would not assist. The consummate politician glossed over this and in his reply focused on the delivery of major infrastructure projects and the abolition of the Regional Assemblies.
Jane Gardner
