The leader of the British Chambers of Commerce said that business needed a “fresh relationship” with government, as she launched a national campaign encouraging firms to join her lobby group.
(Bloomberg) — The leader of the British Chambers of Commerce said that business needed a “fresh relationship” with government, as she launched a national campaign encouraging firms to join her lobby group.
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the BCC, said companies that “need a voice” should join their local chamber. The pitch came weeks after Britain’s biggest business group, the Confederation of British Industry, was hit with a sexual harassment scandal that drove employers to cancel their memberships.
“Today, we are launching a national campaign — Where Business Belongs — to invite businesses that need a voice to join their chamber,” said Haviland, addressing the BCC’s annual conference Wednesday.
Haviland said the BCC had helped set the national agenda on issues such as childcare reform, energy support for businesses and the reversal of the government’s proposed National Insurance Contribution increase last year.
The event also featured Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt and leader of the opposition Labour party Keir Starmer.
The BCC wants new members to tackle areas such as AI, skills, green innovation and the future of the high street. “Post-Brexit, the UK is figuring out its economic role in the world,” said Haviland. “Both exports and inward investment are facing growing competition.”
She added: “But it’s a problem we are well placed to solve.”
The CBI, which lobbies government on behalf of businesses, has been left without a voice after ministers paused engagement with the group in light of more than one allegation that members of its staff were raped by colleagues.
Read More: Rape Claims Shake UK Political Titan in Warning to All Business
Immigration
Separately Wednesday, Martha Lane Fox, the president of the BCC, called on the UK to do more to train its workforce during an interview on Bloomberg TV.
Asked about splits in the Conservative party over immigration, Lane Fox dismissed the “toxic political issue” and said Britain should focus on recruiting, retaining and retraining people as well as opening up to workers from overseas.
“This is a perilous moment for the UK,” said Lane Fox. “We also need to focus on training the workforce that we have.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman argued this week that high levels of immigration threaten the “national character” and said more should be done to train existing workers in the UK.
Read More: Sunak’s Challenge Laid Bare as Braverman Shoots for Top Job
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