Business manifesto calls for ‘more confident and enterprising’ Britain

A BUSINESS manifesto published by the British Chambers of Commerce is calling for wide-ranging action from the next UK government to achieve a ‘more confident and more enterprising Britain.’

Manifesto – ‘A Business Plan for Britain’ reflects the expectations of business communities across the UK, and the measures they require from any incoming government in 2015 in order to help Britain fulfil its true economic potential.

The manifesto identifies seven core themes that the Chamber says must be at the heart of any plan for government to ensure Britain becomes ‘a more confident, more enterprising, and more skilled trading nation’.

Richard Wright, the executive director of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: “The decisions taken during the term of the next Parliament will have a profound impact on the UK’s ability to grow. We need a business plan for Britain, with governments and authorities across the UK and in the regions focusing their attention on creating the best possible environment for growth and enterprise.

“Over the next five years, we can become a more confident, more enterprising, more skilled trading nation – or retreat into slow but very real decline. A Britain built for growth where city regions like Sheffield can deliver and drive forward its USPs is one where government decisions are relentlessly pro-growth; business policies are fit for the long term; local business communities are empowered; and the machinery of national and local government works with and for business.

“The Business Plan for Britain is practical, pragmatic and achievable. All of the core themes are important and in particular the one around exports where, if we don’t reverse the trade deficit then any recovery is going to be short lived.”

The core themes of the manifesto are:

RETAINING THE BEST UK TALENT AND DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION

Nurturing the business leaders of tomorrow, preparing young people for work and investing in the skills and prospects of those already in work are essential to the UK’s competitiveness.

GROWING BRITAIN’S GLOBAL TRADE POTENTIAL

Removing barriers to trade, building international networks and investing in our export skills base will support UK businesses to take on the world.

STRENGTHEN BRITAIN’S INFRASTRUCTURE TO REACH A WORLD CLASS STANDARD

A world-class economy needs world-class infrastructure, and businesses need certainty that crucial improvements will actually be delivered.

DRIVE DOWN BUSINESS COSTS AND TAXES

Simplifying the UK tax system and reducing the taxes firms pay even before they generate a profit, will boost businesses competitiveness, investment and jobs.

SUPPORT LONG-TERM BUSINESS INVESTMENT

Promoting access to finance and backing investors in dynamic businesses will support the rebalancing the UK economy so badly needs.

DELIVER A NEW SETTLEMENT FOR BRITAIN IN EUROPE

Making the economic opportunities of the European trading bloc work for business, and ensuring clear safeguards for Britain against unwanted further integration will be critical for our future success.

PLACE BUSINESS AT THE HEART OF LOCAL GROWTH

Giving businesses a greater say in local decision-making will boost the economies of our cities, towns, and counties.