CUTTING red tape and tax burdens for Teesside companies is high on the Government’s agenda, Employment Minister Chris Grayling has claimed.

Mr Grayling was on Teesside to speak at the first Tees Valley Business Summit yesterday.

Easing burdens such as Corporation Tax are all part of the Government’s plan to help businesses through the harsh economic times, he said - but there is to be no quick fix.

And measures like credit easing, where the Government steps in to encourage investment from the banks at lower interest rates are easing some of the “log jams” for SMEs, he has claimed.

He also urged firms to take on apprentices and trial young people under the Work Programme, the Government’s flagship jobs scheme - a “dating service” for the long term unemployed.

“There are huge challenges, a lot of uncertainty about investing and spending,” said Mr Grayling.

“We are trying to create an environment that involves national steps like cuts to corporation tax and business regulation, support from the LEPs and other mechanisms like the Regional Growth Fund.

“We are making an effort to ease the burden of regulation for businesses - but it’s not something we can do overnight.”

Recruiting was a “hassle” for businesses, he added.

“We are trying to short circuit the process.