Education and skills remain concerns. We are not closing the gap with competing economies, although increasing vocational and technical training is a good start.

There is a plethora of bodies involved in commissioning, funding and delivering training, with regular changes. The latest is the winding-up of the Learning & Skills Council and the merger of some sector skills councils.

Bradford businesses are seeking tax breaks for skills investment. Perhaps they could be funded through the removal of some of the skills bodies.

Businesses are understandably calling for the proposed increase in national insurance contributions to be dropped. It is viewed as a tax on jobs.

Transport remains high on the agenda because Yorkshire has seen the third-largest increase in traffic volumes and biggest increase in rail use, while consistently receiving the lowest level of transport spending of any region. Many companies would support motorway tolls if the proceeds were used to improve transport.

Access to finance also remains a problem. The situation may only improve with banking reforms, while the publicly-funded measures, such as the new regional loan fund, Finance Yorkshire, will help some businesses.

The overall message from business is fewer initiatives and more fiscal measures to help those who are investing in their own companies.