WITH the election campaign officially up and running, Digby Jones, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, sets out his wish list to the next Government.

Writing for the Manchester Evening News, Mr Jones calls for actions rather than words from the policy-makers. And looking at the north west specifically, he calls for the widening of the M6 motorway from Lymm to Birmingham, and reiterates the CBI's call for measures to cut red tape and the burden of taxation.

Heritage

THE north west is a dynamic region with an industrial heritage to be proud of, and huge potential.

But realising that isn't like hoping for your horse to come in. We have to make it happen.

Take a couple of examples. Last time I was in Manchester, the Co-op Bank was showing me the huge strides they've made in developing Internet banking. They're leading the way with the newest ways of doing business and providing hundreds of modern jobs.

But I also saw for myself how household names like Kelloggs and Duerrs jams are fighting a daily battle to stay competitive.

Our political runners and riders have been under starters orders for weeks now, and I would like to take this opportunity to offer some bottom line advice to the lucky winner.

Initiative fatigue

The business community is suffering from initiative fatigue. Please spare us the big ideas and show us that our Government can deliver.

This is the number one priority for business across the country.

Put bluntly, they want to see more bang for their tax buck - some tangible evidence that the huge sums of additional business taxation, more than £5bn during each of the last four years, are being put to effective use.

Delivery, delivery, delivery will be the three most important issues for the next government.

Yes, business has benefited from the stable economic environment but as we look to build on that stability, we cannot ignore the more global nature of today's businesses and the brutal competitiveness of the 21st Century.

The headlines of the last six months have been dominated by household names like Vauxhall, Ford, Corus and Motorola. All are major global businesses taking a global view of capacity and the pros and cons of operating in different locations.

Inevitably, Britain does not always come out on top.

Second-rate service

Which brings me back to delivery. What can the new administration do to improve Britain's chances? It can start with a critical examination of some of our key public services and how second-rate service is impacting on business.

Actions speak louder than words, and we need to see clear evidence of real improvement.

A better-managed National Health Service, geared to delivery and not dogma, and an education system capable of producing young people skilled and enthusiastic are vital to improving the north west's competitiveness and productivity.

But delivery of a much-improved transport infrastructure is surely the most urgent priority.

The M6 should be widened from Thelwall south to Birmingham, and better east-west links would benefit Hull and Leeds as much as Manchester.

Fewer burdens in terms of taxation and regulation are also a must.

Businesses may not have a vote but the millions of people that work in business certainly do.

Delivery to customers may be an alien concept to ministers and civil servants but make no mistake the ability of national and local Government to deliver efficient, effective services and investment capital will be the acid test of the next Government.

Failure will not be easily forgiven.