“We cannot afford a power vaccuum” says CBI as it sets out 100 day action plan
THE CBI has told all political parties that whatever Government is turned out after the General Election, they must focus on measures to encourage enterprise and and “get on top” of the country’s finances.
In Best Foot Forward, the CBI’s business plan for the first 100 days of the new Government, the business organisation is calling on the newly elected leadership to initiate a Comprehensive Spending Review.
In the first 100 days, the CBI is calling for the new Government to maintain the UK as one of the most competitive Corporate Tax regimes in the G20, announce a new independent infrastructure commission, implement the recommendations of the Airports Commission on Gatwick and Heathrow.
The CBI has also recommended that they set out an reform agenda that will keep Britain in the EU, and push for a swift completion of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) by the end of 2016.
The new Government should also give the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) a strategic steer for the lifetime of the Parliament that will underline, not undermine its independence, according to the CBI.
They have also called for the scrapping of GCSE’s in favour of vocational A levels, and extend the existing 15 hours of free childcare for young children.
John Cridland, CBI director-general, said: “Whether we have a majority, minority or coalition Government, we ask those involved to ensure that the period of post-election uncertainty is kept to a minimum.
“We cannot afford a power vacuum that delays urgent policy decisions and unsettles potential investors, so any new Cabinet must get down to business as soon as possible.
“But if horse-trading is required to form a new Government, politicians must not duck the tough questions just to reach agreement and risk undermining the recovery before the ink has dried.
“Much remains to be done to secure the UK’s economic future and business wants to see a confident, new administration getting into its stride by taking action on the key priorities, including staying on top of the public finances, meeting the urgent demand for new homes and making progress on EU reform.”
