If there’s one message Cornish businesses want the Government to hear right now, it’s this: please, no more demands. We’ve just wrapped up our latest survey—covering over 100 businesses across Cornwall—and the numbers don’t lie:

• 85% of respondents are grappling with higher costs from the upcoming NIC and minimum wage hikes.
• The average additional cost is estimated at £21,000 per business (with some facing up to £500,000).
• Over 1 in 10 businesses are making or considering redundancies, while 24% are freezing new hires.

Let’s be blunt: that’s an eye-watering amount of pressure being placed on our local economy—a part of the UK already fighting an uphill battle with lower-than-average wages and heavy reliance on SMEs.

The Chancellor’s upcoming Spring Statement is top of mind. Will it bring a lifeline—or more weight dragging us under? In the words of John Brown, CEO of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce:

“Businesses in Cornwall are being squeezed dry. We have nothing left to give. The Government cannot come back to the table asking for more—because there is no more. We need support: relief on taxes, cuts to red tape, and direct assistance to prevent businesses from going under.”

Beyond the immediate blow to employers’ pockets, these spiralling costs could hit our wider community even harder:

• 10%+ are making (or will make) redundancies, with a further 24% freezing hiring.
• 33% are scaling back on capital investment—the kind of spending that usually fuels innovation and future-proofing.

What We’re Asking For

At the Chamber, we believe the Spring Statement needs to focus on relief measures for businesses already stretched too thin. That includes:

1. No fresh tax burdens that pile onto existing obligations.
2. Real-world support—like targeted tax credits, grants, or temporary NIC relief—to offset the crippling cost hikes.
3. Incentives to keep investing in people and projects, so Cornwall can retain the innovation and community spirit we’re so proud of.

Join the Conversation

Cornish businesses are the backbone of our region’s economy—and right now, we’re bruised and bleeding. If you’ve got thoughts, concerns, or stories to share, we want to hear from you. Get in touch via the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce website or drop us an email. Let’s make sure the decision-makers know just how close to the edge many of us really are.

We’ll keep you posted on any developments as the Spring Statement unfolds. For now, the message from Cornwall is loud and clear:

“Support us—don’t squeeze us.”