Chance to radically transform Britain’s economy: Corbyn

Brexit can be a “catalyst for economic transformation” in the UK, Jeremy Corbyn has told business leaders.

The Labour leader said a “good Brexit plan” should include a “radical programme of investment” and fundamental changes to the way the economy works.

Mr Corbyn, who is under pressure from elements of his party to push for a second referendum in an effort to halt Brexit, insisted that leaving the European Union would offer the chance to reshape Britain.

He took aim at tax cuts for businesses, inflated corporate bonuses and inequality which has not seen wealth “trickle down” to the poor.

He told the CBI conference in London that “business as usual isn’t working” and they should back the changes needed to create a fairer society.

“To meet the greatest challenges facing our country today, we shouldn’t fear change, we should embrace it,” he told the assembled captains of industry.

“Deep-seated change is needed to avoid a damaging Brexit that will hurt enterprise, jobs and living standards, and instead use it as a catalyst for economic transformation.

“Change is needed to prevent the destruction of our environment that endangers all of our futures.

“And change is needed to tackle the huge inequality that has distorted the economy and disfigured our society.”

Labour is set to reject the deal Prime Minister Theresa May has brought back from Brussels.

Mr Corbyn said: “A good Brexit plan for this country is not just about what can be negotiated with Brussels, it must also include a radical programme of investment and real change across our regions and nations.

“In 2016, the country voted to leave the EU against the economic backdrop of post-crash Britain: A million families using foodbanks, over four million children living in poverty and real wages that are lower today than they were in 2010.

“Wealth hasn’t trickled down. Instead, rigid and outdated economic thinking has helped create a situation where 20% of Britain’s wealth is in the hands of just 1% of the population.”

He called for workers to be given a stronger say in the running of companies and a higher level of public investment in infrastructure, education, skills and new technologies.

And he said the largest firms “will pay a bit more towards the common good”.

Meanwhile, a senior union leader has attacked the “shambolic deal” on Brexit being promoted by the prime minister.

Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, called on MPs to “hold their nerve” and vote down the deal when it comes to the Commons.

Writing in the Huffington Post, he said: “Political posturing costs people’s jobs, including those of Unite members who I am determined to protect above all. But we must be clear – we can’t be bounced into a bad Brexit.

“A shambolic negotiation has resulted in a shambolic deal, which offers Britain no control over its laws, money or borders.”

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Change is needed to prevent the destruction of our environment that endangers all of our futures. LABOUR LEADER JEREMY CORBYN

Picture: Getty. Jeremy Corbyn addresses the CBI annual conference.