Education key to economy’s future says outgoing BCC chief

EDUCATION and skills are key to the future of the UK economy, according to the outgoing head of the British Chambers of Commerce.

David Frost set out a six-point plan for the British economy which included a call for the Government to put in place the infrastructure business needs to thrive.

He said: “The most vital component is a high class education system. The present system fails too many young people.

“We have those that have the education and skills that allow them to compete with an increasingly globalised workforce, and those that leave school with minimal or no qualifications and face a future of life trapped on welfare.

“We then have to spend billions of pounds a few years later providing them with basic employability skills to try and integrate them into work.”

Other priorities should be cutting red tape, sticking to the Chancellor’s plan to cut public spending and focusing on wealth creation.

He also urged Ministers to press ahead with reforms to the planning system despite the vocal opposition of some lobby groups to any moves to make it easier to build.

“The default response within this country to almost any new proposed development is ‘no’,” he said.

“We do not want to concrete over the countryside, but at the same time, construction is a driver of economic growth and the population of this country is growing fast and needs to be housed.

“It’s not a case of throwing out the rulebook to grow the economy at any cost, but there is clear evidence that the system is too complicated, too costly, and too uncertain.

“The Government must hold its course on these planning reforms so we can revitalise growth, and get the economy moving again.”