What Are the Main Challenges for Doncaster Businesses and the Regional Economy Today?

Ever wondered what local shop owners, factory managers, and company bosses talk about when they get together? Well, last Friday, a bunch of them from across Doncaster did just that. They sat down for a big discussion with MP Lee Pitcher at an event organised by the Doncaster Chamber.

Think of it like a massive coffee shop chat, but instead of talking about the latest telly series, they were getting stuck into the big topics affecting the town's economy, the challenges for local businesses, and what they need from the government to help things run a bit smoother for everyone. It was a really important roundtable discussion about the future of the regional economy.

A bit of a mixed bag for business confidence

So, what's the general feeling out there for businesses? A bit up and down, actually. A recent survey showed that bosses are feeling a bit more positive about making money than they were a few months ago, which is great news. But, they're still not as confident as they were this time last year. It seems there are a few things keeping them up at night.

Half of the businesses at the discussion are more worried about tax than they were before, and lots are still feeling the pinch from inflation - that's when the price of everything from milk to electricity goes up. While some costs are easing off, paying the workforce is getting more expensive. With salaries going up, nearly two-thirds of businesses feel they might have to put their own prices up. When it comes to spending money on new stuff, like machinery, they're holding back. But the good news? They are investing in people, with spending on training for the workforce at its highest for a year. This shows a commitment to improving skills across the local area.

Getting the right people with the right skills

One of the biggest topics at the roundtable was finding people with the right skills for the job. It's a real challenge, especially in areas like construction and manufacturing in Doncaster. You can't build new houses or make things if you don't have a skilled workforce. The businesses agreed that what's needed is better and more flexible training that responds quickly to what the local economy actually needs for employment. This isn't just about big companies; it affects SMEs (that stands for small and medium-sized enterprises, basically your smaller local businesses) just as much.

Here's a list of the main people-related challenges that came up:

• Skills Gaps: Not enough trained people in key areas like building and making things.
• Young People: A call for better schemes to help young people who aren't in education, employment, or training (often called NEETs).
• Transport Trouble: Getting to work can be a nightmare for young people. There was a lot of talk about a new idea for 'graduated driving licences'. This could mean new drivers have restrictions, like not being able to drive at night. Businesses are worried this could make it really hard for young people to get to jobs, especially shift work.
• Industrial Action: The possibility of strikes, or industrial action, was also part of the discussion. Many business owners stressed they work hard to be good employers to keep their staff happy, as new rules on this could hit SMEs the hardest.

Education and the next generation of workers

You can't talk about the future workforce without talking about education. People from local schools and colleges joined the discussion, raising their own challenges. They spoke about the new Ofsted framework - that's the system used to inspect and grade schools. It was changed after a tragic event, and schools are finding it tough to adapt.

There was also a big conversation about support for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The business leaders at the roundtable agreed that the system needs to focus on getting these young people ready for the real world, with proper employment opportunities. It's all about making sure education leads to a good job and a good life for all young people in Doncaster.

Cutting through the red tape

If there's one thing that unites almost all businesses, it's the headache of dealing with complicated rules and regulations. This was a hot topic during the roundtable discussion. For example, new rules about waste packaging were described as basically being a new tax that makes everything more expensive to run. What do businesses want? Simplicity.

They asked the government for simplification of policy to make things easier to understand and follow. They also talked about how different local councils sometimes do the same work, and suggested they should coordinate better across South Yorkshire to have a bigger impact. This clarity would help build confidence in the regional economy and make things more efficient for everyone, from the smallest SMEs to the biggest local employers.

What was the final word?

Despite all the challenges discussed on 22/10/2025, the mood at the end of the day was positive. Everyone at the roundtable agreed they were committed to their community, their workforce, and making the Doncaster economy stronger. What they need from the government is clarity, simplification of policy, and a long-term plan that gives them the confidence to invest and grow.

Dan Fell, who is the Chief Executive of Doncaster Chamber, summed it up perfectly.

"These discussions are vital to ensure that the voices of local businesses are heard. Our members want clarity and practical solutions to the challenges they face - from skills gaps and transport access to the pressures of regulation. We're committed to working with government and partners to create an environment where Doncaster businesses can thrive."

Lee Pitcher MP also found the discussion valuable for understanding the local picture.

"Thanks to Doncaster Chamber of Commerce for organising the MP Roundtable with local constituency businesses. It's a great opportunity to discuss all those things that are front of mind for my local SMEs, and to understand where I can help through working with Government. Thank you to everyone who signed up, attended, and participated in the discussion."

The Doncaster Chamber plans to keep hosting these events, making sure the people in power hear directly from the businesses on the ground. It's all about teamwork to tackle the challenges ahead for the regional economy and make sure the policy decisions made by the government help people and businesses in Doncaster succeed.