STORY
The British Chambers of Commerce has welcomed elements of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s Labour Party conference speech, including his indication that the Government would avoid adding to business costs. Director General Shevaun Haviland said the forthcoming Budget would be the main test of whether the Government could reduce costs, encourage investment and support economic growth.
The BCC supported Burnham’s commitment to reducing welfare expenditure and welcomed a wider debate about the future of the state pension triple lock. It also backed his focus on artificial intelligence but called for a stronger strategy to help businesses adopt the technology. However, the organisation warned against making greater public control the default response to problems involving utilities and infrastructure.
The business group welcomed Burnham’s approach to rebuilding relations with the European Union and called for a long term plan to make trade easier, cheaper and faster. It also supported efforts to accelerate electricity grid connections and reduce energy costs, although it requested further details about how Great British Grid would operate. The BCC said most businesses would have to wait for wider market reforms before seeing reductions in their energy bills.