Businesses meet with Chancellor to discuss Autumn Statement proposals

23 Sep 2016

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, has met with representatives from British businesses to listen to their views ahead of the forthcoming Autumn Statement.

The roundtable events, which took place at the Treasury and Downing Street, also provided the opportunity for discussions in regards to leaving the EU.

Those who attended the meetings came from a cross section of leading business groups, including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Senior executives from John Lewis, Rolls Royce, BAE Systems and Cisco were also in attendance.

Strategies for boosting UK economic growth and productivity were discussed, and the Chancellor informed business leaders that the Government intends to ‘offer support to firms through any period of adjustment while Britain forges a positive and powerful new role for itself in the world’.

Mr Hammond said: ‘My message to businesses is clear: in our negotiations to leave the EU, we will work hard to get the best deal for Britain and that includes ensuring that British companies can continue to trade with the single market in goods and services.’

Carolyn Fairbairn, Director General of the CBI, commented: ‘Business wants the openness of the UK’s economy to be preserved – specifically access to markets, skills and trade – and to see an ambitious Autumn Statement that drives investment and growth, and delivers jobs and prosperity for all of the UK’s regions.’

Meanwhile, Mike Cherry, National Chairman of the FSB, stated: ‘Small businesses are ready to work with Ministers, and at the meeting they raised key issues with the Chancellor around infrastructure, regional investment, skills and tax – and delivering the business rates reforms announced in Budget 2016.’