POLITICIANS are not often stuck for words, so I suppose they may see it as a good thing there will be no shortage of issues to talk about when they start the annual round of party conferences this weekend.

The global economy remains in a perilous state, with America and the eurozone giving the markets jitters.

Fierce debates are raging about reforms to the NHS, the planning system and energy markets.

And there is the small matter of how to respond to widespread rioting in England.

The business community will be very interested in some of these subjects, which is why I will be travelling to the three main conferences to hear what the parties have to say and contribute our members’ views.

Reforms to the planning system are one area where the Government seems to have got it broadly right. There are elements of detail we want to see changed, but largely we will be letting people know our support for proposals to make the process simpler and more supportive for businesses.

In the North East, we have capacity for more development without heavy congestion or environmental constraints, so we hope ministers will not bow to pressure largely centred on other regions to water down their plans.

Energy, on the other hand, is an issue where the Government appears to have got things badly wrong.

Its proposals seem set to raise money for the Exchequer while doing little to stimulate renewables development.

They could leave manufacturers in the North East at a massive disadvantage compared to international competitors.

The current price of energy is more than enough to incentivise them to minimise the amount they use, but it is inevitably an essential part of their processes.

Backing exports and increasing skill levels are two areas where we don’t believe the Government is yet doing enough and we hope they will be given more attention in the conference debates.

:: James Ramsbotham is chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce