Queen’s Speech: Staffordshire businesses welcome government proposals…
Business leaders from across Staffordshire welcomed a number of announcements made during the Queen’s Speech on Wednesday. Government bills announced in the speech included:
- Enterprise Bill: to cement the UK’s position as the best place in Europe to start and grow a business, by cutting red tape and making it easier for small businesses to resolve disputes quickly and easily.
- European Union Referendum Bill: to give the British people a voice and a real choice on Europe.
- Education and Adoption Bill: to give all children the best start in life by raising standards in schools.
Giving her reaction to the Queen’s Speech delivered this week, Jane Gratton, Deputy Chief Executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce said:
“The proposals set out in the Queen’s Speech were given a cautious welcome by business.
“Simplifying life for small or growing businesses should be an objective shared across the political spectrum. If properly targeted, the government’s efforts to cut red tape for business could make a real difference – saving time and money. However, much of the most costly regulatory burdens are created by the EU, and so cutting red tape will be a challenge.
“Our Quarterly Economic Survey shows that businesses want to remain in the EU, but a different EU, one which has been reformed, and with legislative powers returned to Westminster. The single market has to work properly for UK businesses trading in Europe, our biggest export market. So moves towards EU reform are good. But, to avoid prolonged uncertainty, which damages business growth and investment, we need the referendum to be held as soon as possible.
“The focus on raising standards in schools is welcomed, but businesses also rely on the education system to equip young people with the soft skills and attitude they need to make a successful transition to work. We should be measuring secondary schools on pupil destination and earnings, guaranteeing a business governor in every secondary school, and ensuring that every student leaves school with a high quality exposure to business.
“If the last Parliament was defined by austerity, this one should be defined by growth. Of course, an incoming government cannot do everything at once, but this seems to be a step in the right direction.”
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