- Tyne Tees
- 3 updates
ITV Business Club on the Queen's speech
With the economy back in recession and the worst retail sales figures for more than a year, we ask members of the ITV Business Club to judge the Queen's speech.
Live updates
ITV Business Club verdict on Queen's Speech
New figures show another disappointing month on the High Street. Sales in April fell to their lowest level in more than a year. It was also the day the government announced its plans for the year in the Queen's speech. So is it doing enough to help struggling firms create jobs?
Business leader calls for more financial help
Ammar Mirza, Secretary-General of Asian Business Connections, said today the Queen's speech doesn't go far enough to help businesses succeed.
The government has promised to cut red tape and make Britain more business friendly.
But he wants more financial help in the form of cuts to VAT and employers' National Insurance Contributions.
Advertisement
ITV Business Club reacts to Queen's speech
Jo Place, owner of Jump Shoes for Kids in Gosforth, says thegovernment needs to help local shops by cutting business rates andforcing councils to scrap parking charges.
Retail sales figures for April were down 3.3%, the worst performancesince March 2011. Jo says her business really suffered due to the wetweather, which came at the worst possible time.