Responding to today’s speech by Labour leadership candidate Andy Burnham, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said:
“Firms need consistency, clarity and stability from policymakers, if business confidence is to be improved.
“Businesses will judge Andy Burnham’s plans on whether they deliver the boost to investment, productivity and trade desperately needed to unlock growth. As our recent report outlined, government must always ask whether policy passes a ‘growth delivery test’ to encourage firms to invest and grow.
“It’s crucial that the devolution agenda has local business at its heart and brings benefits to all parts of the UK.
“Our Chamber network completely understands how national ambition can be translated into local economic growth. We’ve long argued that more decisions affecting local economies, including transport, skills and infrastructure, should be taken closer to the communities they serve.
“Successful Chamber-led Local Skills Improvement Plans across England show the power of devolution to help address the challenges facing our economy. Creating greater parity between academic and technical qualifications is something business wholeheartedly supports.
“A pledge to improve the public procurement system is welcome, but it must quickly bring benefits to SME supply chains across the UK.
“Fiscal devolution must see money spent in the right way, to boost local growth. It must not mean further costs on business. BCC analysis shows government-imposed costs on SMEs have risen by more than 70% in just 10 years. New local business taxes and visitor levies would stifle economic growth.
“The difficult truth is, whoever leads the UK, the primary challenge remains the same – delivering growth. Business stands ready to work in partnership with any new Prime Minister to focus on that crucial task.”