Budget 2007 must constructively challenge UK business
The STUC is calling on Chancellor Gordon Brown to ensure that Budget 2007 addresses the real challenges facing the UK economy.
General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
“Another Budget pandering to employer promoted myths on issues such as regulation will constitute a dangerous diversion from the task of creating the high performance workplaces and high wage, high skills economy that trade unions and Government aspire to.
"Large swathes of the business community have failed to take advantage of the unprecedented period of economic stability created by this Chancellor to invest sufficiently. Short-termism remains entrenched in UK industry. It is high-time we heard the Chancellor challenge employers to up their game instead of pandering to shrill lobbying on issues that are marginal to the true challenges facing the economy”.
The STUC’s Budget Submission 2007 is specifically calling for:
A reversal of the absurd decision to introduce arbitrary targets to reduce regulatory ‘burdens’;
Resources to develop workplace development programmes along the lines of our European competitors;
Action to maximise economic and employment opportunities in developing energy sectors. This must include sufficient resources to establish carbon capture and storage demonstration projects in the North Sea;
Recognition of the simple truth that an effective UK response to globalisation will be underpinned by a strong public sector employing staff who are motivated and well remunerated;
Funds to improve the basket of services offered to migrant workers to ensure that fair employment and social conditions become the norm;
New measures to tackle the Gender Pay Gap;
New measures to ensure that final salary pension schemes, once again, become the accepted standard for occupational pension provision.
ENDS
For further information contact
Stephen Boyd 0141 337 8100