Family Business UK has joined Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first talks with leading business organisations, as the new Government set out plans for a stronger partnership with businesses to drive investment, create jobs and deliver growth across the country.
Neil Davy, Chief Executive of Family Business UK, spoke with the Prime Minister alongside representatives from organisations including the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, Institute of Directors, Make UK and ScaleUp Institute.
The Prime Minister used the discussions to outline a new offer to British businesses, focused on greater certainty, clearer long-term direction, faster decision-making and giving businesses a stronger voice in shaping government policy.
A central part of the discussion was the role businesses can play in tackling rising youth unemployment and skills shortages. The Prime Minister called on employers to work with Government to restore the first rung on the career ladder for young people, while helping businesses develop the skilled workforce they need to grow.
Neil Davy, Chief Executive of Family Business UK, said:
“It was encouraging to be part of the Prime Minister’s first discussions with business organisations and to hear his commitment to building a stronger partnership between government and business.
“The Prime Minister is right to put tackling youth unemployment at the heart of that partnership. Family businesses invest in people for the long term, providing apprenticeships, training and that crucial first opportunity for young people to get into work and build a career.
“There is significant common ground with our recently published Policy Agenda, from creating a fairer system of taxation to creating those opportunities for young people by breaking down barriers to employment.
“We look forward to working with the Prime Minister and his Government to turn these shared ambitions into practical action and ensure family businesses can continue building Britain for generations.”
FBUK will continue working with the Prime Minister and the new Government to ensure family businesses have a strong voice as these priorities are taken forward.
During the roundtable discussion, Neil informed the Prime Minister and senior government officials that, if the Government wants to drive sustainable growth in every postcode and unlock the full potential of family businesses as partners in creating opportunities for young people, it must reopen the Business Property Relief (BPR) conversation and review the damage these changes are having on family-owned firms.
With family businesses operating in every part of the country, employing locally and investing for the long term, there is a significant opportunity to put them at the heart of the Government’s plans to tackle youth unemployment, unlock investment and deliver sustainable, place-based growth across the UK.
