RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has called on the Prime Minister to act after a survey found many local businesses were struggling.
The latest Chambers of Commerce survey, to which dozens of East Lancashire firms contribute, found that confidence in the North West economy had nose-dived.
The strength of the pound was cited as one of the major causes of concern.
"It is the failure of Chancellor Gordon Brown not to stick to the prudent economic management of the last government that has led to the Bank of England's high interest rate policy," said Mr Evans.
"North West businesses know where the buck stops and it is with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor and not with any quango set up by them to set the interest rates."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article