The Business View

CBI responds to publication of new immigration rules

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director, said welcomed confirmation of the rules underpinning the UK’s new points-based immigration system.

“Government must use the remaining months of 2020 to help businesses to understand how they will need to engage with the new system, particularly those that have no experience of the current visa system.”

22 Oct 2020

CBI responds to latest government business support package

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said missing middle of pubs, cafes and theatres in tier 2 along with other businesses across the UK who are seeing demand fall away, will be relieved to be supported.

"This is a big step towards a more standardised approach of support for areas going into tiers 2 and 3 and those businesses that face tough times who operate within them. It will be critical to get the buy-in of all regions in England, rather than negotiation on a case-by-case basis."

22 Oct 2020

CBI responds as Greater Manchester ordered into Tier 3

Damian Waters, CBI North West Director, said clear communication and transparent evidence for new restrictions is essential.

"Firms in hard-hit sectors like hospitality, leisure and tourism – and their supply chains – have seen only a limited recovery from the earlier lockdown, and fresh obstacles could prove fatal for some. Additional financial support must therefore be made available as a matter of urgency to protect people’s livelihoods."

20 Oct 2020

CBI Wales responds to latest COVID-19 firebreak restrictions

Ian Price, CBI Wales Director, said transparency and clarity of messaging are key and businesses remain keen to better understand the strategy for living with COVID-19 through the autumn and winter, noting:

“While the Welsh Government should rightly be commended for consulting widely before announcing these new measures, the temporary lockdown remains a severe setback to businesses across Wales – particularly in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors which have suffered so significantly throughout the pandemic."

19 Oct 2020

A radical new strategy for lifetime reskilling must be the bedrock of UK economic recovery - CBI

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said ensuring people can adapt to the changing world of work would be one of the most important missions embarked on by the UK in the next decade.

“The right skills strategy can help every worker to progress their careers, drive up living standards and level-up the country. But a failure to act will leave businesses facing skills shortages and workers facing long-term unemployment. We are at a fork in the road that requires urgent and decisive action."

19 Oct 2020

CBI responds to Prime Minister's statement post-European Council

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said:

“With tenacity, common sense and compromise, a deal is still possible. Businesses call on leaders on both sides to stay at the table and find a route through.”

16 Oct 2020

CBI responds as London moves to Tier 2 of Covid restrictions

Eddie Curzon, CBI London Director, said that getting a grip on rising infection rates now would help maintain confidence and avoid further restrictions in the months ahead. He added:

"While the Chancellor has taken bold and decisive action to support jobs and companies' cashflow, London businesses still remain under extreme pressure. It's vital that the Government, Mayor's Office and London's Councils continue to work effectively together and use whatever tools they have at their disposal to protect jobs and livelihoods."

15 Oct 2020

CBI NI responds to new restrictions from the Executive

Angela McGowan, CBI Northern Ireland Director, said businesses will welcome further clarity on the evidence base for this package of measures.

“Right now our businesses are facing a myriad of unprecedented challenges: rebuilding from the first wave of COVID-19, dealing with the resurgence of the virus and managing the uncertainty over the EU/UK negotiations. While the announcement that there will be further financial support is welcome, it needs to be delivered without delay and targeted at acute areas of need."

14 Oct 2020

Trading our way to recovery: Stepping up globally to level up locally - CBI Director-General

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, called for the UK to be the world’s champion for trade in services and innovation. She said:

“We need to hardwire collaboration between business and government across our work on trade and investment. The past few months have shown just how much business and government can achieve together. Now we need to bring that same collaborative energy to realising the UK’s full trading potential."

12 Oct 2020

CBI comments on labour market statistics - Oct

Matthew Percival, CBI Director for People and Skills, said redundancies are clearly on the rise despite the number of vacancies picking up over the summer. He added:

“The Government’s flexibility and support packages have reduced job losses substantially over the summer and making support match tiered local lockdowns will protect jobs too. Successfully ramping up the testing regime will be a key component to securing an economic recovery down the road.”

13 Oct 2020

CBI responds to latest Job Support Scheme announcement

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, said the Chancellor’s more generous job support for those under strict restrictions should cushion the blow for the most affected and keep more people in work. She added:

“In addition to financial support, continual transparency around decision-making is crucial. A consistent and open strategy for living with COVID-19 through the autumn and winter will help protect lives and livelihoods.”

09 Oct 2020

Our response to latest GDP statistics

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Economist, said that while necessary, the combination of restrictions re-introduced in September and rising infections was weighing on already fragile business and consumer confidence.

“Getting growth onto a firmer footing will rely on bringing infections under control. Imminent new restrictions must go hand-in-hand with further business support, especially for those harder hit regions and sectors such as aviation, wider transport and hospitality."

09 Oct 2020

Pandemic has fast-forwarded need for Business Rates change

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Economist, said the pandemic has accelerated the need for changes, and that firms want to see a freeze in the rate before taking steps to lower the rate by 2023.

"Reducing the overall burden of business rates has the potential to realise wider economic benefits, increasing tax revenue elsewhere in the system. We are rebuilding our economy and that can only be achieved with a tax system that supports, not hinders business efforts."

07 Oct 2020

Our reaction to the Government's Global Travel Taskforce

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director, said effective airport testing has a vital role to play in jumpstarting international travel and trade, adding:

“As global trade picks up, Britain must be at the forefront. A successful testing system will help air passengers travel confidently and conveniently and underscore the UK’s status as a hub for international connectivity."

07 Oct 2020

CBI responds to Prime Minister's Conservative Party Conference Speech

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said firms will be heartened to hear the Prime Minister’s belief in the private sector to create jobs, find innovative solutions to the challenges facing our society. She added:

"Many firms are overwhelmed by the enormity of the COVID impact on their cashflow and confidence. Government can act today to show a clear and consistent rationale on restrictions; delivering targeted help as the virus’ impact evolves, and ramping up mass testing for the critical months ahead."

06 Oct 2020

CBI responds to the Chancellor's Conservative Party Conference speech

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said it is vital to protect the enablers of our economy under greatest stress, from aviation and manufacturing to hospitality and events.

“All restrictions must be based on clear, transparent evidence, rapid mass testing must be turbo charged alongside test and trace, and further support should be considered for those sectors worst hit by lockdown measures.”

05 Oct 2020

CBI responds to PM announcement of review to boost transport connections

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director, said boosting transport connectivity in all parts of the UK is essential to delivering improvements in productivity and supporting regional growth.

"The announcement of Sir Peter Hendy’s review to assess investments needed to level-up connectivity is a welcome step that can deliver a clear strategy for delivering rapid improvements in access and journey times, all in line with the UK’s net zero commitments.”

03 Oct 2020

A golden opportunity to deliver a nationwide infrastructure revolution for commuters

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief Policy Director, said commuter behaviours have undergone a sea-change this year, and would likely never revert to past patterns or previous numbers. He added:

“This is our chance to move away from short-term, centralised, and siloed decision-making. Government policy and funding should support local authorities to develop multi-year programmes of investments that will drive local jobs, growth and quality of life, consistent with net zero and levelling-up objectives."

02 Oct 2020

British businesses to launch new campaign aimed at increasing racial and ethnic participation in senior leadership

Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, CBI President, said:

“The time has come for a concerted campaign on racial and ethnic participation in business leadership. Progress has been painfully slow. We want to do for racial and ethnic diversity what the 30% Club has done so successfully for gender equality”.

01 Oct 2020

CBI responds to Prime Minister's plans to transform skills and training

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, highlighted that the measures proposed by the Prime Minister will help solve the most urgent skills challenge facing our generation, with retraining already a vital priority for the UK. She added:

“The lifetime skills guarantee and flexible loans to support bitesize learning are a strong start. But to really shift gears, this must be backed up by meaningful progress on evolving the Apprenticeship Levy into a flexible skills levy.”

29 Sep 2020

CBI Wales responds to announcement of further Welsh Government support for hospitality and tourism

Ian Price, CBI Wales Director, said:

“We have called on both the UK and Welsh governments to work together and use every tool at their disposal to protect lives and livelihoods. These successive interventions do just that, although it's clear more may be needed further down the line.”

28 Sep 2020

More than three-quarters of business want UK/EU agreement

Commenting on the fact that more than three-quarters of businesses want a deal to support people’s jobs and livelihoods, Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said:

“A good deal will provide the strongest possible foundation as countries build back from the pandemic. It would keep UK firms competitive by minimising red tape and extra costs, freeing much needed time and resource to overcome the difficult times ahead.”

27 Sep 2020

CBI Wales responds to new localised restrictions in Cardiff, Swansea and Llanelli

Ian Price, CBI Wales Director, said the business knows that taking action now can help to maintain confidence and avoid further restrictions in the months ahead. He added:

“While the Chancellor has taken bold and decisive action to support jobs and companies’ cashflow across the UK, Welsh firms remain under extreme pressure. That’s why we need the UK and Welsh governments to work together and use whatever tools at their disposal to protect lives and livelihoods in the coming weeks and months.”

25 Sep 2020

Our response to the Chancellor's Winter Economic Plan

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said wage support, tax deferrals and help for the self-employed will reduce the scarring effect of unnecessary job losses as the UK tackles the virus. She added that further business rates relief should remain on the table.

“The Chancellor has listened to evidence from business and unions, acting decisively. It is this spirit of agility and collaboration that will help make 2021 a year of growth and renewal.”

24 Sep 2020

Innovative public-private partnerships key to bolstering recovery

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director, highlighted that firms of all sizes have stepped up as part of the national effort in the fight against COVID-19. He noted:

“During this period we have seen agile, innovative approaches to public-private partnerships deliver enormous benefit. As we seek to build back better from the pandemic, this must become the new normal."

23 Sep 2020

CBI responds to Labour Leader conference speech

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, noted the Labour Leader was right to prioritise investment in education and skills.

“The past six months have shown what is possible with brilliant collaboration between the public and private sectors, and firms will be looking for Labour to set out how it will work with business on these shared challenges in the months ahead.”

22 Sep 2020

CBI responds to Shadow Chancellor speech

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Economist, noted Labour clearly recognise the unrelenting pressure firms are facing. She added:

“All parties agree that saving good jobs today is far better than picking up the pieces tomorrow. That needs bold action as the UK heads into a challenging autumn.”

21 Sep 2020

CBI comments on latest Covid restrictions in North West, Midlands and Yorkshire

Matthew Fell, CBI UK Chief Policy Director, said taking action now can help to maintain confidence and avoid further restrictions on businesses and households in the months ahead. He added:

“With the number of new local restrictions on the rise, the Government will need to take an urgent look at the business support packages for the autumn, including a successor to the furlough scheme.”

18 Sep 2020

Fast and bold climate action can be catalyst for global recovery - Director-General

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, noted that while it may feel like a time of fiercely competing goals - the biggest health crisis in living memory and climate change - they are not separate.

“The response to one affects success on the other. And the defining question is, how does the UK use this moment to rebuild our economy and the greener and stronger world we want to return to.”

14 Sep 2020

Technology creation 'must reflect our diverse society if its to serve us all'

CBI President, Lord Karan Bilimoria, highlighted the importance of diversity in the technology sector if it is to serve the whole of society.

"As the first BAME President of the CBI, the first Zoroastrian Parsi in the House of Lords, and as a young man of Indian background co-Founding Cobra beer in the 1980s London, I am passionate about sharing my experiences and supporting ethnic diversity through my role as CBI President."

11 Sep 2020