What does business want from Boris?

Image copyright
Getty Images

Boris Johnson promised his government would “unleash” the potential of British business, once he has fullfilled his core campaign promise to “get Brexit done”.

But for business leaders, many of whom lobbied against Brexit, the pledge means that they will soon have to adapt to a more distant relationship with the UK’s largest trading partner. Analysis suggests that new trade deals further afield are unlikely to compensate for the economic impact of this shift.

And on top of that comes a plan to overhaul immigration policy that will affect how and who firms can recruit.

So will the party of Brexit also manage to serve the needs of business? And what will firms be lobbying for?

Brexit:

With an 80-seat majority, there is little doubt that Mr Johnson will be able to get his Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament, paving the way for the UK to leave the European Union.

The prospect of an end to three years of to and fro over the issue is welcomed by the deputy director general of the CBI, Josh Hardie.

“Just the fact that we have a government with a strong majority and a mandate actually provides the opportunity to bring a bit more certainty,” he said.

But as the prime minister’s opponents were at pains to point out during the election campaign, the UK could still leave the EU without a trade deal at the end of next year unless a trade deal with the EU can be struck in record time.

Mr Hardie said British businesses would like see maximum alignment with the bloc, describing a relationship of frictionless trade very similar to EU membership, but the new government has promised an arms length arrangement, with the UK outside both the EU single market and the customs union.

Mike Cherry, the national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said Brexit could provide an opportunity for British firms to expand into other overseas markets such as the US, Canada and Australia. But the UK’s relationship with the EU remains the first item on the agenda.

Infrastructure and investment:

Mr Johnson welcomed the election result with a promise to “repay the trust” of voters in the north of England who swung behind the Conservatives, many for the first time in their lives.

There is an expectation that the previous Conservative government’s Northern Powerhouse plans will get further backing. The Times has suggested the prime minister could be planning to pump as much as £80bn into projects in key northern seats in a bid to cement his new voters’ support.

Image copyright
Siemens/PA Media

But Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of the lobby group London First, also put in a bid for more schemes in the south of England – if the prime minister has his wallet out anyway.

“The Conservative manifesto recognised the role for vital infrastructure in supporting the economy, from Northern Powerhouse Rail to gigabit broadband.

“The Government now should go further and give clear backing to HS2 and Crossrail 2, as well as reaffirming support for airport expansion at London’s airports, putting in place the key building blocks needed to enable our regions to grow together.”

That kind of spending may help boost the UK’s flagging growth rates, says Yael Selfin, chief economist at accountancy firm KPMG.

She says “public spending will need to do the heavy lifting” when it comes to dispelling the cloud of uncertainty around an EU deal but it will take more than that.

“The new government must also turn its attention to some of the longer standing challenges facing the UK, such as poor productivity and declining regional opportunities, to help secure a better long term future, while addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by new technology and climate change.

Immigration:

Mr Johnson has pledged to introduce a points-based immigration system that would sort migrant workers into three categories.

The first tier, entrepreneurs, investors and people who have won awards in certain fields, would receive fast-track entry under the system.

Meanwhile, skilled workers, such as doctors, nurses and other health professionals, who have a confirmed job offer, would be placed in another category, with those eligible for an NHS visa also receiving fast-track entry and reduced fees.

Image copyright
PA Media

For low-skilled or unskilled workers, sector-specific rules would be put in place, enabling British firms to fill gaps where UK workers cannot be found.

But the plans have come under fire from business leaders who have said the proposed policy is too vague and would affect their ability to plan for the future.

The CBI’s Mr Hardie said while a points-based system could work if designed to respond to the needs of the economy, but more detail would be welcome.

Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chair at the City of London Corporation, the governing body of London’s financial district, said Mr Johnson should bear in mind that services were “the lifeblood” of the UK economy but relied on “attracting, retaining and developing high quality talent”.

Business rates:

Boris Johnson has pledged to reform business rates, which have been blamed for tough times on the High Street, with well-known chains shutting stores across the country over the past few years.

But that could take time, according to Mr Cherry from the Federation of Small Businesses. Just a review of rates could take up to five years, he said.

At present, business rates are based on the size of a firm’s property as well as revenues, in most cases.

But Mr Cherry said the tax was charged “before you even turn over your first pound, let alone make any profit”.

Mr Hardie from the CBI said the business rates system was “fundamentally broken” and urged “radical reform”.

For many firms, especially in the retail sector, reform of business rates, which they have been calling for for several years, remains the top priority.