Now that the result of the General Election is known, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce has urged the UK and Scottish Governments to get back to business, placing the economy, skills and exporting at the heart of the national agenda for the next five years.

The business priorities they are asking for are: 1. On Brexit: secure a deal on the rights of EU nationals to live and work in the UK.

2. On Migration: secure a migration policy which meets the skills needs of our business sectors

3. On Industrial Strategy: A clear plan fully aligned across the UK

4. On Business Costs: A commitment to no new up-front business taxes for the duration of the Parliament

Commenting on the General Election result, Val Russell, Chief Executive of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, said:“I would like to congratulate Alan Brown, Patricia Gibson, Bill Grant and Philippa Whitford on their election to represent Ayrshire in Westminster and we look forward to working with them over the next Parliamentary term in a bid to ease uncertainty for local businesses and provide opportunities for their growth and development.

“Voters across the UK have spoken and no single political party has emerged as the overall winner.

“As the politicians enter a period of negotiation to determine the shape of our new UK Government, we would remind them that it is business that will be the driver of the UK’s future growth and the determining factor in our economic success.

“With the clock ticking on Brexit, the next UK Government’s key short term priority must be to secure a deal on the rights of EU nationals to live and work in the UK. These workers are essential.”