Local and national business representatives say they are pleased with the ambitions set out by the government in the King’s speech and there are signs their voice has been heard.
King Charles III outlined the government’s legislative plans at the State Opening of Parliament, yesterday (Wednesday).
The plans include nationalising railway operators and speeding up the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing.
Also in the speech was the creation of a National Wealth Fund to supercharge investment in infrastructure and the green sector, and proposals to reform the planning system.
There were also plans to charge VAT on private school fees, and using counter-terror tactics to stop cross-Channel people smuggling.
Reflecting on the plans, Declan Riddell Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce’s Policy Adviser said: “We’re pleased to see ambitions from the new Government to unlock the planning system, which has served as a brake on economic growth.
“It’s something we’ve called for in our Staffordshire Chambers’ Business Manifesto, which was launched last month.
“The announcement of a National Wealth Fund Bill will create a new fund to invest £7.3bn over five years in infrastructure and green industry.
“We know of Staffordshire businesses who are struggling with Grid connectivity and the need for Grid investment is also listed in our Manifesto, as is the need to improve public transport connectivity in our county.
“It’s why we’ll be keeping a close eye on the Better Buses Bill, which aims to allow a wider range of local leaders to take over responsibility for running bus services.”
Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The commitment to an industrial strategy could put in place a framework to unleash the pent-up ambition of British business to grow the economy.
“If we use it to make green innovation a key driver of that growth, and link it to a coherent plan around skills, trade, devolution, and AI, then the possibilities could be endless.
“Billions of pounds of private investment have been held back by businesses which have been watching and waiting for long-term certainty in the economy.
“The Government’s clear intention to speed up the planning system for large scale infrastructure can feed that business confidence, if it can be delivered. Measures to increase business resilience, reform of the apprenticeship levy and legislation to support sustainable aviation fuel could also boost the economy.
“There are still big issues that need to be addressed. Improving our trade relationship with the EU will not be straightforward, and there will need to be detailed consultation with business on the Plan to Make Work Pay.
“But there is much in today’s speech which shows the voice of business has been heard and that Government is introducing measures that benefit firms and help unlock investment.”
I woyld have hoped that despite all the positive responses an organisation meang to represent business woyld point out the scarey new approqch to employment that the new government will be bringing in, like full employment rights from day 1 and the right to flexible working! These will undoubtedly scare employers drom recruitment and move us closer to the French model, harming the UKs growth