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Energy costs and access to effective telecommunications, including broadband, are the most important infrastructure issues faced by small businesses, according to new research from the Forum of Private Business. Of the forum members responding to the organisation’s Referendum survey on Infrastructure for Growth, 80% believe that energy costs are very important, with the same number citing telecommunications and broadband access as being a particular problem in rural locations. The reliability of the energy supply is also a key issue for 75% of respondents, followed by local banking services (73%) and local roads (65%). “Improving the UK’s transport network is extremely important, but infrastructure is about more than just roads and railways, it is about creating a business environment and a road map for growth that paves the way for small firms to be successful and create jobs,” said Jane Bennett, the forum’s head of campaigns. A total of 74% of members feel that their location is effective for their business needs, with proximity to good road networks the main reason given by 16% of respondents. Centrality (14%) and footfall (9%) are other key factors. Business owners in the north west are most happy that their location is working for their firms, with 79% of forum members in the region deeming it to be very effective or effective. In the south west, 78% of respondents are similarly satisfied with their location, followed by those in the Midlands (76%), Wales (75%) and the east of England (75%). In London 74% of respondents believe that being based in the capital is proving effective for their businesses – more than the south east as a whole, where 67% feel the same. In the north east and Yorkshire the figure is 74%. Scotland has the fewest business owners satisfied with their location, with 65% believing that where they are based is effective or very effective. Other Business Money News
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