Coalition’s first 90 days “has been encouraging”, says BCC

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Coalition’s first 90 days “has been encouraging”, says BCC

In a review of the Coalition Government’s first ninety days in power, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has argued that there have been a number of positive and encouraging decisions, but there are still areas requiring urgent action before the end of the year.

Ahead of May’s General Election, the business group, which represents 100,000 companies across Britain, set the incoming administration twelve clear policy challenges – a prescription to return our economy onto a sound and sustainable footing.

The Government’s actions on each of the proposals in the BCC’s ‘ninety day plan’ has been given a progress assessment, with three ticks indicating progress that has either ‘met or exceeded business expectations’. A maximum of three ticks were achieved in three areas, which included:

· Publish a credible plan to reduce the budget deficit and restore confidence

· Freeze the public sector wage bill and reform public pensions

· Begin a systematic review of existing regulation affecting employers

Commenting, David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“This review shows real, balanced progress against nine of our twelve core objectives, so the Coalition’s overall progress after ninety days has been encouraging. Early action on deficit reduction and burdensome employment regulation has been strongly welcomed by business – and many of the measures in the Chancellor’s emergency Budget struck the right balance.

“However, business wants to see more progress in areas such as international trade and reform of the UK’s planning system. While the Prime Minister has led a trade mission to India, we have not yet seen the appointment of a dedicated trade minister, nor a focused strategy for a strong export economy. Many of the Coalition’s proposals on planning have also been disappointing, including the decision to abolish the Infrastructure Planning Commission.

“We challenge the Government to build on the good progress it has made over its first ninety days, and to look again at areas where it can do more to enable wealth-generating businesses to drive a lasting recovery.”

BCC 90 Day Progress Report