‘Lack of business focus’ slammed by Chamber

MIDLAND business leaders have slammed the lack of focus on addressing the needs of businesses within the Government’s plans for the next Parliament.

But a decision in the Queen’s Speech to bring forward legislation for the extension of the next phase of the high speed rail line (HS2) was welcomed.

The Queen delivered confirmation that the HS2 Phase 2a Bill – which proposes an extension of the high speed rail line from Birmingham to Crewe – will be brought forward.

The speech also focused on key issues relating to Brexit, including bringing forward the Repeal Bill and legislation on immigration, international sanctions, nuclear, agriculture and fisheries, trade and customs policies and planned support for exporters.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “The Queen’s Speech offers promise of action on some area of major concern raised by local businesses. It foregrounds preparing for Brexit across key areas such as trade and customs, immigration and the industrial strategy.

“The confirmation that legislation relating to HS2 Phase 2a – the start of the extension of the line northwards from Birmingham – will be brought forward this Parliament is a welcome vote of confidence for the national significance of this major investment in infrastructure.”

But Mr Faulkner was disappointed by the overall lack of focus on business needs.

Earlier this month, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce asked more than 400 local businesses for their views on what the Government should prioritise during the next Parliament.

More than 80 per cent ‘quite’ or ‘strongly’ agreed extracting maximum value from Brexit was main a priority, while investing in regional transport infrastructure (72 per cent), tackling skills gaps (71 per cent), avoiding further input costs (70 per cent) and delivering a robust Industrial Strategy were also high on the agenda (66 per cent).

Mr Faulkner added: “There was a lack of focus on making the UK the most competitive place to do business by easing input costs and streamlining growing reporting requirements on businesses beyond a brief mention of the Industrial Strategy.

“By nature, the Queen’s Speech lacks the detail many businesses want to see to understand the poten- tial impact of proposed legislation.

“The speech may have included references to building consensus with businesses but the Government has done little in recent years to bolster businesses’ confidence in their approach. The referendum, Brexit and now the snap General Election and hung Parliament have created ever greater uncertainty.

“If this Government is serious about a successful Brexit they need to work together with businesses to make it happen. Almost all of the legislation highlighted in the Queen’s Speech from immigration to data protection, trade and customs to technical education must have the needs and concerns of businesses at their heart.

“This speech and whether it makes it through Parliament next week, is a major test of Theresa May’s ability to lead the new Government.

“The two-year period covered by the Queen’s Speech will be extremely politically challenging with Brexit negotiations underway and the consequences of a hung Parliament becoming clear. We will continue to urge politicians of all political parties to put petty rivalries aside and position the economic wellbeing of the nation and its people and businesses at the heart of their actions.”

There was a lack of focus on making the UK the most competitive place to do business Paul Faulkner, above