Business raps Government

BRITISH business has launched a fresh attack on the UK Government following a year of ‘wasted opportunities’ and ‘prevarication’.

The British Chambers of Commerce highlighted the failure to make a decision over airport expansion in the South East and the burden of taxes and regulation.

The group, which represents thousands of companies employing more than 5m workers, also warned of the impact of higher interest rates on households and businesses.

It urged the Government to focus on big issues such as infrastructure and skills shortages, adding that the coming year ‘cannot just be about Europe’.

BCC director general John Longworth said: ‘At the start of 2016 neither ministers nor businesses can afford to be complacent.

‘We may have solid levels of economic growth but there are many clouds on the horizon that could ultimately push Britain into a new economic storm.’

The BCC is just the latest business lobby group to attack the Government in recent days in a sign that industry is becoming increasingly frustrated with the Tory administration.

The CBI blasted a number of Government policies, from the National Living Wage and apprenticeship levy, to its ‘wrong-headed’ immigration rules and ‘failure’ over expansion at Heathrow.

More than 50 business leaders last month signed a letter lambasting David Cameron for delaying a decision on a new South East runway until the summer.

The BCC has now added its voice to the row, calling for ‘an end to the prevarication that affected key business priorities during 2015’.