New year message from CBI
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Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 30 Dec 2002 18:40
The CBI, in its traditional new year message to the Government, says that 2003 will be a crucial year for government-business relationships.
Director general Digby Jones said that the government must choose between a low-tax, flexible economy or the gradual erosion of the UK's competitive advantages. “During 2002,” he said, “the government did not make the UK a better place to do business. Company taxes went up, regulation went up and improvements in public services were patchy.”
On the positive side, however, he commented that some recent signs had been encouraging. “Since the April Budget there has been a refreshing dialogue between business and senior members of the cabinet. But it is actions not words that will influence business opinion.”
Offering some advice to the trade unions he urged the new generation of general-secretaries to choose moderate trade unionism over militancy. “It is in their members' interests to understand how the world of work has changed and that a prosperous future depends on learning from the failures of the past,” he said.
Regarding the European Union, Jones reiterated the CBI’s general support, but urged policy makers to concentrate on economic reforms and institutional accountability rather than unnecessary social legislation.
"We expect a modest pick up in UK growth next year but for many firms this won't feel like a recovery. I'd rather be in business in the UK than anywhere else in the EU but that does not mean that 2003 will not be extremely difficult,” he concluded.
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