Businesses need the UK to be a place where costs are competitive, rules are clear and investment decisions not blocked by uncertainty. Yet punitive industrial energy costs, tax complexity, regulatory duplication, employment costs and growing pressures linked to cyber risks are absorbing capital that should be driving growth.
The change we're calling for
Tackling industrial energy costs
Lowering employment costs
Cutting the administrative burden
"The immediate challenge for firms is the high cost of doing business. To ease pressure on firms and unlock economic growth, the government should work with business to address the longstanding issue of high energy costs, ease regulatory burdens, deliver practical solutions on employment rights, and build a simpler, more competitive tax system."
John Foster, Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer, CBI
Why it's needed
Competitive economies are built on strong foundations. When costs spiral or policy shifts unexpectedly, investment slows. Restoring stability and competitiveness to the UK’s cost base creates the conditions for sustainable growth.
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Our progress and impact
Jan. 2026
Dec. 2025
Nov. 2025
Nov. 2025
Nov. 2025
Nov. 2025
Jun. 2025
Jun. 2025
Jun. 2025
Jun. 2025
Mar. 2025
Oct. 2024
International tax certainty agreed
Following CBI member input, the UK as part of the OECD's Inclusive Framework of 14 countries committed to a new approach to global minimum corporate tax rates.
Six-month qualifying period for unfair dismissal
A major shift in the Employment Rights Bill that protects the purpose of probation periods and supports confident hiring.
Progress towards fairer business rates
The government has committed to exploring a slice system, reflecting a flagship CBI recommendation.
Removal of barriers to employer investment in workplace healthcare
HMRC has confirmed tax-free treatment for employer reimbursements of eye tests and introduced a new tax relief for employee flu jabs.
VAT removed on donations of goods
Fixing a long-standing anomaly so donated stock is no longer taxed, cutting waste and unlocking millions for charities.
Additional £1.5bn funding for the Warm Homes Plan
Funding for the Warm Homes Plan was increased at the 2025 Autumn Budget.
Smarter regulation through AI
The government is investing in AI-enabled tools to reduce the cost of regulation, improve disease risk management, and streamline grant delivery.
Click not call – unlocking a digital-first HMRC
The government confirmed £500m to make HMRC digital-first by 2029.
Right first time – smarter support to strategically close the tax gap
HMRC's Departmental Efficiency Plan includes a focus on compliance including in automation, case management tools, self-serve channels, and preventing non-compliance.
Tackling energy costs
The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs for 7,000 eligible manufacturing businesses.
Reducing the cost of regulation by 25% by the end of Parliament
An ambition built on government delivering a key recommendation from the CBI’s Good Regulation Guide to audit the current cost of regulation.