Commenting on the Queen’s Speech, Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West said:
“It is hard to disagree with today's announcement of measures which, in the words of David Cameron, plan to make 'Britain more business-friendly'. Proposals outlined in the Queens Speech to cut regulation through the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill sound sensible, and will help employers hire new staff and resolve disputes in the workplace more quickly.
“These measures will further boost the confidence of business, despite the technical move into a double dip recession. So we welcome the government's continued commitment to place deficit reduction and economic stability at the forefront of their programme.
"On balance, business will be pleased about some of the government’s proposed legislative measures, but will express serious reservations about others. The government is in danger of undermining positive steps such as reform to employment tribunals and red tape reductions by adding in complex new burdens such as those around shared parental leave.
"However, we really do need to see much more progress on action rather than rhetoric. Given the Government's previous commitment was to put deficit reduction and economic growth at the forefront of their proposals, the downgrading to economic stability is a concern for business. To restore greater business confidence and to meet our economic growth potential there need to be more drastic measures to cut costly regulation and continue to tackle the deficit.”
“Ministers could equally have been much bolder in their commitments by including legislation to establish a British business bank, to further simplify dismissal rules, and to progress the construction of our high-speed rail network.
“While there are clear wins for business in the government’s programme, ministers are wasting parliamentary time on House of Lords reform and other politically-motivated measures, rather than on more support for growth and jobs.”
PRESS RELEASE - 9 May 2012