The devil is always in the detail and there needs to be clarity between the actual numbers and the political rhetoric. There’s not a huge amount that’s positive for our businesses within the visitor economy.

There shouldn’t be a barrier for hiring younger workers, and while the training for apprenticeships for under 25s in SMEs is welcome, the cost for hiring remains high. There’s a balance to be drawn between making sure people can afford increasing living costs and have some more in their pocket, with making sure employer costs don’t prevent hiring.

The problem it’s coming in a storm for business, with high energy costs and, locally, the removal of free parking in the evening, which has hit hospitality in particular.

Keeping business rates at the lower rate for retail, leisure and hospitality is great but we shouldn’t forget that larger retailers with higher rateable values of over £500k are important places on our bricks and mortar high street offer. Expecting them to pay a lot more could hit high street investment and we need those major brands, like Sports Direct on Church Street, to be those anchor tenants that draw in footfall.

It’s also positive to see the start of that levelling up between high streets and online businesses with the customs duty reform. We await to see the details.

We do need to ask what role this government wants the private sector to play in the economy. The announcement of the introduction of the tourist tax, alongside the suggested departmental cuts that will hit local government spend, means the private sector is essentially plugging the gap of that lack of investment.

If the tourist tax is to go ahead, then hotels should get the same benefit of 10% VAT as they do in Barcelona!

Business Improvement Districts are meant to provide additionality, not fill in the holes left by a reduction in public spending.

Growth comes from productivity in the private sector and it’s so critical that the Government creates a positive and thriving environment for businesses. The burden cannot constantly fall on the private sector with no benefit.

Bill Addy, CEO Liverpool Business Improvement District