(Image: Pic supplied)
A call to cut National Insurance contributions for under-25s has been made ahead of next week’s Budget.
The West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce says the move would help tackle youth unemployment and ease financial pressures on businesses across the region.
The chamber is also urging renewed Government commitment to transport schemes including Northern Powerhouse Rail and West Yorkshire Mass Transit.
Mark Casci, head of policy at the chamber, said: "The consistent message from our members here in Yorkshire is that employers need a break.
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"Years of persistent increase in overheads are holding businesses back from carrying out the investment, recruitment and growth they so desperately wish to enact.
"Cutting the cost of employing people would be an important first step to increase business confidence and help reduce the NEET scandal impacting our young people.
"Now is far for the time for a low-key Budget, we need decisive action to help our fantastic businesses help deliver the economic growth our country needs."
The chamber, which represents more than 5,000 employers, believes a cut to National Insurance for under-25s would make a significant contribution to tackling the youth unemployment crisis.
It also recommends a targeted tax reduction package to ease energy and business rate pressures for all firms.
This includes Government funding for 75 per cent of the Renewables Obligation for business and lowering all rateable value multipliers.
The chamber is also calling for the return of consistent, locally delivered export support to help more SMEs trade globally and drive growth, and further investment in construction skills across the region.
Next Wednesday's budget will be the first from new chancellor John Healy, who replaced Rachel Reeves when Andy Burnham replaced Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.
The chamber’s proposals come as part of a wider effort to support economic growth and address rising costs for employers in West and North Yorkshire.