News / Business West
‘The UK is, at best, treading water’
The “business as usual” mantra is not good enough at a time of significant uncertainty, say business leaders in a stern message to the Prime Minister.
Business West has joined forces with chambers of commerce around the country to call for a renewed focus on tackling barriers to growth and investment – and urge the Government to come up with a radical plan for action.
In a letter to Theresa May, the group outlines concerns about perceived inaction from Westminster on key domestic economic matters and cites the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey, which has indicated for some time that the UK is, at best, treading water.
Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, signed the letter from a cohort of chambers around the country
“Our future success depends not just on Brexit negotiations, but also on the big economic decisions that must be made here in the UK,” said Dr Adam Marshall, director general of the BCC, writing on behalf of 53 accredited chambers of commerce.
“It is time, Prime Minister, for you to set out a compelling, pro-enterprise and pro-growth vision for the future, and a bold set of domestic policies to make it happen.
“It is time for you to tell business communities across the UK how your government will act – fast – to stabilise the faltering training and apprenticeship system and give clarity on migration rules, as businesses face unprecedented labour and skills shortages all across the country.
“It is time for visible action to rebuild our rutted and potholed roads, to use the resources of the state to build more homes, and to speed up the delivery of airport, rail and energy upgrades.
The letter calls for action to speed up delivery of transport upgrades. (Photo of Bristol Airport, which is planning a major expansion).
“It is time to eliminate the significant gaps in mobile and digital connectivity that continue to strangle business productivity and UK competitiveness – the central theme of our ‘No More Not Spots’ campaign.
“It is time to set a new mandate for HMRC and economic regulators to support, rather than pursue and punish, the small and medium-sized firms that can drive future growth, and focus their enforcement activities on the small number of companies pursuing questionable practices that are ultimately paid for by the rest.
“After decades of delay and incremental change, it is time to tackle the huge costs and complexities of the UK tax system, which actively discourage investment, risk-taking, and the stronger export performance we all want to see.
“And it is time for your government to deliver a far more explicit blueprint to support economic growth in all regions and nations – including greater local decision-making, away from the centralising instincts of Westminster and the devolved administrations.
“Prime Minister, the many thousands of firms we collectively represent are clear: business as usual is not good enough at a time of significant uncertainty. A concerted drive to ‘fix the fundamentals’ would unlock business confidence and investment – and set the UK on a path to long-term growth, alongside a comprehensive settlement between the UK and EU.”
Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, joined other business leaders in Manchester on Tuesday, as they presented a united front to the government.
Read more: Talking Brexit and business in Bristol
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
