George Osborne will try to address concerns about rising borrowing costs when he delivers his final Autumn Statement before the general election today.

The Chancellor is expected to announce improved growth estimates in the Commons later but this will be tempered by news that the deficit has not fallen by as much as originally planned.

This week, Kent bosses put a reduction in business rates and greater stability on their wishlist for the Chancellor’s speech.

Kent Invicta Chamber has called on the government to speed up the progress of infrastructure projects which are critical to businesses locally and nationally.

It is urging the government to improve compensation and incentives for those affected by rail and housing projects, and commit funding to repair deteriorating roads over the next five years.

Chief executive Jo James said: “Infrastructure is at the core of British business – underpinning confidence, orders, jobs and competitiveness – but faces an alarming challenge in the coming years. A failure to invest in capacity and maintenance is hampering business growth and costing jobs.

“Too often, decisions on infrastructure are taken in the short-term interests of political parties rather than in the country’s long-term economic interest.

The Autumn Statement will be delivered in Parliament today from 12.30pm.

For live updates and insight, follow @KentBusiness on Twitter as well as our political editor Paul Francis @PaulOnPolitics and business editor Chris Price @TheChrisPrice.

"Businesses across the country want to see more urgency in delivering infrastructure projects, and in turn they will deliver growth.

"The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement is a great opportunity to introduce targeted measures that unlock the roads, housing, rail links and energy developments businesses want."

Meanwhile, the Kent branch of the Institute of Directors has called for tax breaks to help companies take on more skilled staff.

IoD Kent branch chair Emma Liddiard said: “Like all businesses organisations we would like to see a better environment to help us grow and put the downturn behind us.

“Clearly the election is not far and we would hope this means some positive sweeteners for us.

“For example, it would be great to see more tax breaks to help us take on more skilled staff, and no negative tinkering to the already complicated tax system.

“There is especially a shortage of skills and training in the construction sector and we hope the government will help more businesses to partner up with education providers to inspire students for a fantastic career into the 186 trades that operate within this busy and thriving sector.

“Kent has an enormous amount of projects to deliver over the next four years to meet education standards and expected growth needed by schools and manufacturing in Kent to provide these materials is also of concern.”

She added: “Investment and support needs to continue to help other parts of the county create job opportunities, get people to work and develop better conditions for SMEs and new start-ups.

“So we look forward to seeing a conducive statement for Kent businesses to benefit.”

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