Small business owners across Kirklees will make big demands on the new UK Government as they look for pre-election promises to be delivered, says a Huddersfield-based specialist.

Nick Brook, who runs TaxAssist Accountants, based in Lockwood, said local businesses would be looking for rapid progress on issues such as tax simplification, lowering the costs of running small businesses and business rates.

He said: “If the Government wants to restore confidence, it will have to act swiftly to address the issues which are important to local business owners.

“Over 1,000 small businesses responded to our pre-election survey and 66% said they didn’t think the pre-election debate addressed the issues which mattered to them, whilst 78% did not trust that any politicians would follow through on the promises they made during the election campaign.

“Interestingly, 52% said they would be concerned about another coalition Government, so that particular worry is off the agenda.”

But he added: “If David Cameron is to live up to his claim to be the party of the grafters, roofers, retailers and plumbers, he must deliver on the issues which matter most to them.

“We are looking for a much fairer business rates system following the promised review, more action to cut red tape and greater support on lowering the costs of running small businesses.”

The TaxAssist Accountants pre-election survey of 52,000 small business clients across the UK showed that 52% said tax simplification was their top priority, closely followed by the economy (49%) and lowering the costs of doing business (45%).

More than 34% wanted VAT to be addressed and more than 25% said Europe was a key issue for them.