YORKSHIRE employers are calling for more backing for enterprise from the Government.

More than half of 416 entrepreneurs polled by accountants Ernst & Young felt the Government did not do enough to foster enterprise.

Some 59% of those polled believed Labour gave "low" or "no" priority to business support.

Asked how Government could improve things, 33% called for tax breaks with 29% demanding a cut in red tape.

They also called for easier access to funding, more support for skills, training and development and more business advice.

Nearly half of those questioned were pessimistic about the prospects for the UK economy providing a stable environment for their business to make medium to long-term investment decisions in the next 12 months.

That comes despite 66% of entrepreneurs reporting an increase in turnover in the last 12 months and 68% believing that their sales will grow in the year ahead.

Employers said consumer confidence, increased competition and funding were their top concerns.

Almost half of respondents across the region said they found it difficult to recruit staff with the right qualifications and attitude while 59% said there was a skills shortage in their industry.