Witham Chamber - the voice of business in Witham

Alan Hurst M.P. kept his long term engagement to speak to members of Witham Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, instead of listening to the Chancellor delivering the Budget.

Alan Hurst, who has been the M.P. for the Braintree constituency since 1997 retained his seat at the last election with a "slim" majority. Speaking of his early days as a solicitor he described his first steps into the business world when he established an office in Southend. During the discussion Mr Hurst confirmed that he was keen to ease some of the burdens on business while still protecting the public.

He confirmed his understanding that businesses need to plan ahead in the knowledge that interest rates will remain stable and that they need a pool of skilled labour. As far as skilled labour was concerned he acknowledged that I.T. skills were very important but was concerned at the over emphasis on I.T. office skills compared with manual skills.

Attention was drawn to the proposed new A120 route from Braintree across to the A12. Members were asked to look at the proposed route and to make individual representation.