By David Duffy Senior Government Minister Andrew Smith has challenged businesses in Oxfordshire to make raising productivity a top priority.
Andrew Smith, Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Oxford East MP, set out the challenge at a meeting hosted by the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
More than 40 representatives of local businesses turned up at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, at Sandford-on-Thames, to review key Budget measures and to consider wider economic issues.
Mr Smith faced tough questions on issues ranging from the digital economy and taxation to local government finance and transport.
Oxfordshire chamber chairman John Naish said: "Andrew Smith agreed to take a number of issues away with him for further discussion with his ministerial colleagues. A number of delegates have also promised to send him further information on the issues they raised."
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