The Government must take urgent action in the Autumn Budget to stop the economy from flatlining, according to Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.

The stark warning comes following the latest Quarterly Economic Survey from the British Chambers of Commerce suggests that growth and business confidence are weakening.

The survey found that the percentage of service businesses attempting to recruit staff is at its lowest for 25 years.

It also found that the percentage of businesses who are recruiting but struggling to find the right staff is at the highest level since the survey began in 1989.

Meanwhile, manufacturers’ export sales and orders are at their lowest level since the EU referendum in June 2016, according to the survey of 5,600 businesses gathered since August.

Rob Johnston, chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said the trends were worrying particularly as he expects economic growth this year to be the lowest since the financial crash a decade ago.

“The Chancellor should heed the direction of travel and use his Budget on October 29 to deliver bold action to boost investment and confidence,” he said.

“The Budget must deliver radical, decisive action to boost growth and productivity at precisely the moment that the economy needs it most. As a priority we’d like to see him increase the annual investment allowance to £1 million to encourage investment.”