Responding to the Shadow Chancellor’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said:
“It was encouraging to hear business feature so prominently in the Shadow Chancellor’s speech. He rightly recognised how businesses and entrepreneurs are the drivers of the UK’s wealth.
“Fiscal responsibility is the bedrock of the economic growth we all want to see – and it’s important that all policymakers recognise that.
“The BCC has long argued for fundamental reform of business rates to create a system that is fair and affordable. While reviving our high streets is important, any changes to the rates system must go further and benefit businesses of all sizes.
“Businesses will be interested to hear more detail about the Shadow Chancellor’s plans to reward work for young people. Earlier this year our report into the current jobs crisis called for urgent action to avoid a lost generation.
“We are eager to see much more policy detail from the Conservatives on how they would grow the economy. We’ll continue to engage with all politicians, to make the UK the best place to start, grow and invest in a business.”