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Business Leaders Urge Support for Britain's Full Participation in Europe

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Britain's business leaders are emphasizing the need for a strong support for Britain's full participation in Europe, ahead of the publication of a new study by the Commission on Public Policy and British Business. The study, which will be published this month, aims to put forward a range of policy recommendations to improve the UK's competitive business performance. The commission's findings have been shared with the Government, Labour Party, and business leaders, with a focus on the importance of EU policies in determining the success of British business.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Commission on Public Policy and British Business, set up by the Institute for Public Policy Research, is publishing a study on the UK's competitive business performance this month.
  • The study will provide recommendations on corporate tax and governance, the minimum wage, and the European social chapter.
  • Business leaders emphasize the need for Britain to participate fully in the European Union, with many policies of importance to business requiring EU-level action.
  • The commission warns that companies will increasingly locate within the EU based on economic factors, necessitating closer collaboration with European partners.
  • The commission suggests that Britain may need to "opt in or out of particular initiatives in a 'variable geometry' Europe" to maintain good working relationships with EU partners.
  • The commission includes prominent business leaders such as the heads of J Sainsbury, GEC, and British Aerospace.
  • The commission's findings have been shared with government officials and are seen as having close links to Tony Blair.

Statistics:

  • The study will be published this month.
  • The Commission on Public Policy and British Business is set up by the Institute for Public Policy Research, a centre-left think tank.
  • The UK's competitive business performance is to be improved through the study's policy recommendations.
  • Companies will increasingly locate within the EU based on economic factors.
  • The EU's "variable geometry" policy allows certain member states to "opt in or out of particular initiatives."

Sources:

  • The Times, 1997
  • Commission on Public Policy and British Business (IPPR)

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