IoD boss’s parting shot to politicians
SUCCESSIVE governments have failed to turn their pro-business rhetoric into action, according to the outgoing director-general of the Institute of Directors.
Miles Templeman attacked British governments from all parties for heaping new burdens on business while failing to give them the support they need.
He said: “I believe this government does have a clear business orientation. However, it has been very disappointing that successive governments have too often failed to turn their pro-business rhetoric into a comprehensive pro-business policy.
“The current government’s approach to employment regulation is a prime example where we have made no progress in reducing the regulation burden, despite some well-meant initiatives. If anything the situation is getting worse overall.”
Templeman pointed to the imposition of the agency workers directive and new auto-enrolment rules on pensions as measures that could not be afforded at a time when so many businesses are struggling.
“Hardly anyone in business really believes that regulation reduction measures like ‘one in, one out’ and the ‘red tape challenge’ are working when burdens on this scale are being imposed on business.
“If the Government expects the private sector to create new jobs and compete with emerging economies in Asia and South America, we need to maintain and ideally improve our labour market flexibility. I do believe this Government aspires to be business orientated, but the Agency Workers Directive and auto-enrolment pensions will overwhelm efforts elsewhere to stop the burden increasing. Ministers need to do much better,” he said.
Templeman’s successor, Simon Walker, will make his first visit to the North West next week for the organisation’s North West Director of the Year awards.
