CBI: 50 Years of Business Innovation

CBI: 50 YEARS OF BUSINESS INNOVATION

1990 • Although the economy was growing strongly, the CBI warned that five points of inflation cost business around £20 billion a year – more than the total retained earnings of all UK commercial and industrial companies in 1989.

• In the year that the CBI celebrated its 25th birthday, Prince Philip visited Centre Point.

1991 • At a time of momentous change in the countries of the former Soviet Bloc, the CBI launched its Eastern Europe initiative to help speed emerging trade between British companies and newly independent countries.

• The CBI lobbied the Maastricht Summit to prevent the retrospective application of the so-called Barber judgment of the European Court on occupational pensions, which would have cost CBI members between £40 million and £50 million.

1992 • In the Budget, the Chancellor responded to CBI calls for cuts in rates on business properties and for higher tax allowances on capital projects.

• The National Manufacturing Council was launched, providing a forum through which manufacturers of all sizes and sectors could influence CBI and government policy, and work with other commercial organisations on UK manufacturing issues.

• The agenda for the UK’s presidency of the EU was shaped with help from the CBI. Progress was also made on the Single Market programme.

1993 • The CBI launched the Manufacturing by Design initiative to increase the awareness of manufacturing among young people and to strengthen links between business and education.

• Its leaders welcomed Nelson Mandela to Centre Point, while the South African president-in-waiting was on a UK visit to attract foreign investors.

1994 • The CBI launched a sustained campaign for a “skills revolution” that promoted vocational

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qualifications and closer links between business and education.

• Centre Point was the location for the signing of an investment agreement between Prime Minister John Major and his Pakistan counterpart Benazir Bhutto.

1995 • The CBI went public over its concerns around the Private Finance Initiative, making recommendations that challenged the government to fulfil its commitment to PFI.

• The National Manufacturing Council launched PRoBE, an initiative to tackle deficiencies in skills and training.

1996 • The CBI launched the Business in Europe campaign, making the case for a free market rather than a regulated European Union.

• The report Winning Ways called for a rise in investment across all transport modes for a decade, financed by public and private sectors.

1997 • In the wake of the landslide Labour victory in the general election, the CBI decide to engage fully in the debate over the government’s commitment to the Social Chapter, the prospects of a National Minimum Wage and compulsory trades union recognition.

• CBI lobbying succeeded in ensuring that substantive amendments to UK law were avoided. It sought to minimise the effects of statutory union recognition by working on the detail of proposals at an early stage.

1998 • CBI membership of the Low Pay Commission ensured a successful start for the National Minimum Wage.

• The CBI was instrumental in influencing the final powers of the assemblies and regional development agencies, and of the Mayor of London, as part of the process of devolution. »

Right: Gordon Brown at the CBI Annual Conference in Birmingham

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