NOW the at the general election is over, Hampshire Chamber is urging the county’s newly elected Members of Parliament to cut red tape for businesses and help firms invest.

The chamber’s chief executive Stewart Dunn, said: “We congratulate the new and re-elected MPs in our region while commiserating with those candidates who missed out.

“It is important for our members to know there is a strong bond between our elected representatives and the local business community and so we want to ensure that relationship remains close and cooperative.

“Following what was a dramatic election night, our members will now expect David Cameron to continue rebuilding the economy and ensuring the tools are in place for sustainable, long-term growth.

“We urge the Conservatives to work with us on regional priorities identified in the Chamber network’s manifesto A Business Plan for Britain.

“These include continuing to bear down on the deficit, cutting red tape for business and helping firms to invest.”

He said the Government must reform business rates, support exporters and champion more apprenticeships.

“We also call on the Prime Minister to follow through on his stated commitments to freeze VAT, National Insurance and income tax rates,” said Mr Dunn.

“Businesses will welcome a stable road ahead on all these issues for financial planning purposes.

“As we look to the next five years, we believe Hampshire and the UK can become more confident, prosperous and skilled. To achieve that, we need practical, pro-enterprise measures.”

Also commenting on the result of the general election was Neil Eames, development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses.

He said: “What businesses will look for from the new Government is certainty and stability, both absolutely fundamental to business planning, and getting to grips with the big economic challenges.

“That must start with continuing to secure the UK’s long-term economic stability and addressing the deficit.

“Businesses will then look to the new Government to provide the conditions for enterprise to continue to flourish, and help ensure the economic recovery is felt in all parts of the country.”