Phil Orford, CEO at the Forum, responds to issues arising from today’s Queen’s speech.

On reform to immigration policies and deregulation “At first glance this is a raft of Bills that will pass right over the head of small businesses. There is much made of a ‘deregulatory bill’ but if the government really wants to deregulate it needs to stop unnecessary regulations in the first place, a cause not helped by plans for immigration checks to be placed squarely on the shoulders of small business.

"Government is also currently legislating to create sizeable changes to flexible working and parental leave for 2015. The Government must realise it is the constant churn of change that most annoys small businesses, not archaic regulations they are not aware of and so do not probably obey anyway.

Upon initial viewing, this seems the most insignificant Queen’s Speech for business for a number of years. If that means Government leaves them alone to get on with growing their businesses then more the better.”

On National Insurance Contributions A £2000 Employment Allowance is very much welcome but won’t come into effect until 2014. We are not sure why the Government has to legislate to implement this.

Banking reform "Anything that can prevent future banking crisis has to be seen as a step in the right direction. Five years on from the crisis and still the effects of the crash are being felt by small firms who either can’t access affordable credit, or are suffering from the knock on effect to invoice payment times as businesses battle with cash flow.

"Ring fencing Britain’s retail banking operations to prevent another financial crisis will not be enough to get banks lending to small firms at the level the economy needs to support sustainable growth. By focusing exclusively on the issue of ring fencing banks’ retail operations, the government must not miss the bigger picture, and that is many banks remain unable or unwilling to gauge small business lending risk on a case-by-case basis and are continuing to avoid firms of certain sizes or in specific sectors."

“While business owners can do more to produce and present their finances in a way that establishes their creditworthiness, banks will still have to do a lot better.”

HS2 “It is easy to be critical of government when it puts off the big infrastructure decisions with the failure to deal with the UK's airport capacity a case in point. So we are pleased the next step in such a big ticket infrastructure spend is moving forward.

“The Government must now work to clearly communicate nationally the business case for such an important project, whilst locally demonstrating how such a project will bring economic benefits to the regions, rather than draining them towards London.

“We still don’t feel this case has been adequately put in the North and scepticism therefore remains widespread. Cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds may well be nervous at just how HS2 will affect them in terms of business.

“Station upgrades, platform improvements and more rolling stock are needed on many existing lines in the UK, with commuters paying ever-higher prices for a more congested service. Investment in the main road and motorway network must keep pace too, these being the primary form of transport for many businesses.”