Government urged to ‘stop tinkering around the edges’ and tackle dwindling business rates
‘Westminster must put its money where its mouth is to make global Britain a reality,’ BCC boss says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The government is being urged to sweep away barriers to business growth and investment and take “bold steps” to help firms thrive.
Dr Adam Marshall, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), will call for a cut in business rates, action on infrastructure projects, as well as support for firms affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
He will tell the BCC’s annual conference in London on Thursday that the government must put measures in place to help businesses whose cash flow and supply chains could be disrupted when the transition period for leaving the EU comes to an end on 31 December.
He will say: “It must stop tinkering around the edges and finally tackle the drag anchor of business rates, which undermine investment and risk-taking and suffocate our high streets.
“It must put its money where its mouth is to support and promote UK trade, to give a leg up to the many thousands of companies whose overseas efforts will make global Britain a reality.
“It must create deeper incentives to encourage businesses of all sizes to move further, faster on carbon reduction and energy efficiency, and it must move infrastructure projects forward, faster, including everything from fixing local roads to expanding our global hub airport at Heathrow.”
Dr Marshall will say that over the next few years, moving goods across borders and hiring staff, as well as complying with additional rules on tax, data and standards, is going to cost businesses more.
He will add: “What businesses want to see now is Westminster focusing in on the details that matter, so that companies can move goods, people and data across borders successfully after 1 January.”
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments