POLITICS


Boris Johnson’s Conservative Government now commands a healthy majority


‘Businesses should now be able to count on a more stable, certain year in which to plan – although it’s just the first step on a long road ahead’


growth and tackle the prolonged stagnation that’s affecting so much of the UK economy. If ministers take action to reduce up-front


costs, move key infrastructure projects forward and help businesses invest in training and workforce development, they’ll be rewarded with increased productivity, business activity and economic output. However, they also must move quickly over


the coming weeks to ensure that Brexit is done right, rather than just getting it done. A clear future trading relationship with the EU


is crucial to many firms’ future investment and growth prospects. Unless a comprehensive UK- EU trade agreement is in place by the end of the year, businesses could once again face a cliff- edge – and the seismic changes to trading conditions equivalent to a no-deal Brexit. We also need to see both the political will and


the investment to finally bring about the fully integrated and modern infrastructure network this country has needed for so long. This must include completing all phases of


HS2, electrifying the Midland Main Line, improving our roads and prioritising improvements to the A46 and A5, along with enhancing the region’s digital connectivity and incentivising renewable energy production and lower carbon business activity. And there are basic building blocks of


economic success that have been ignored or misunderstood by successive governments, which the current incumbent has the opportunity to fix. These include delivering a transparent and


predictable business rates system that incentivises investment and is based on ability to pay, changing the regulatory culture to one that supports and enables as opposed to hinders and penalises, and closing the long-standing gaps between business and education. These are all issues that have been neglected


for too long, as Brexit has taken front and centre stage. As the curtain falls on this unprecedented era in the UK’s history, restoring business, investor and consumer confidence to fire-up the economy must be the Government’s top priority. The Chamber will continue to keep the


pressure on Government to ensure this happens. Our next few Quarterly Economic Surveys will provide a strong indication of how well Government is doing against these aims.


business network February 2020 57


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