LONDON: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sought to repair the government’s tarnished economic record on Monday, reaching out to the business community rocked by a scandal engulfing the Confederation of British Industry.
Sunak’s Conservatives and the main opposition Labour party are jockeying for position ahead of a general election expected next year.
The Tories, traditionally regarded as the party of business, have lost ground with the cost of living crisis and after former premier Liz Truss sparked chaos with unfunded tax cuts last year.
Sunak told business leaders on Monday that his so-called “Business Connect” platform will enable companies to engage directly with his administration.
The news comes as a small number of high-profile firms withdrew from the CBI on Friday after the nation’s business lobby was rocked by fresh rape allegations.
Business Connect will look to boost economic growth, Sunak insisted on Monday before an audience of more than 200 high-profile chief executives and business figures.
“We are going to keep engaging to make (Britain) the most pro-business pro-growth country in the world,” Sunak said. The UK remains plagued by double-digit inflation that has sparked a cost-of-living crunch, prompting calls from many employers for the government to do more to stimulate economic output. — AFP
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