INITIAL COMMENT ON GENERAL ELECTION OUTCOME

Congratulating the Prime Minister on his election victory, as reported at 7.00am, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said: 

“Restoring business, investor and consumer confidence – and firing up the economy – must now be the Prime Minister’s top priority.  

“Campaign slogans must give way to a renewed focus on the details that matter. Our business communities need to see swift, decisive action to avoid a messy and disorderly exit from the EU and to tackle the barriers holding back investment and growth here in the UK.” 

Businesses’ priorities for the new government include: 

•  Avoiding a no-deal exit from the EU and delivering a smooth transition giving firms time to prepare. 
• Acting rapidly to reform business rates and replace them with a fairer system. 
• Pressing ahead with improvements to transport infrastructure.
• Investing in our skills base and reforming the Apprenticeships Levy so that more small firms can access high-quality training locally, at affordable cost. 
• Delivering a sensible immigration system that gives firms access to essential overseas talent at all levels.