The CBI has called on George Osborne to boost exports, investment and jobs with an “all-action” budget on 23 March.
In an open letter to Osborne, the CBI outlines its priorities for the Government’s Growth Review, as well as wider measures to improve competitiveness.
The CBI’s proposals include: creating a new corporate bond market for mid-cap companies to increase the supply of capital; speeding up the planning system to stimulate infrastructure investment; and encouraging companies to become more energy efficient by restoring the incentive element of the carbon reduction commitment.
The Budget must also address tax issues, which the CBI says are “discouraging entrepreneurship and undermining UK competiveness”, including the 50p personal tax rate and the narrow definition of business assets under capital gains tax.
The letter also calls for changes to regulations that it claims are hampering businesses, including restoring the two-year unfair dismissal qualifying period to give companies more time to assess the potential of a new employee. It also says that the tribunals system should be strengthened to “weed out weak and vexatious claims”.
John Cridland, CBI director-general, said: “This Budget must demonstrate a relentless focus on growth to help get the UK working again. We need an all-action Budget which boosts exports, investment and jobs. The Budget should create the framework for a ‘Mittelstand’ of mid-cap businesses by ensuring they can access the capital they need to expand at home and abroad.”
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