Come on Dave, be brave

13 january 2013

 

An elite group of Britain’s top business men and women will troop into No10 tomorrow afternoon for what promises to be a tense encounter with the prime minister.

David Cameron is playing host to his business advisory group — a panel that includes Sir Roger Carr, the CBI president; Ratan Tata, the Indian tycoon who owns Jaguar Land Rover; Angela Ahrendts, chief executive of Burberry; Michael Queen, outgoing boss of 3i; and Eric Schmidt, chairman of Google.

With Britain back in recession, and forecast to stagnate for the next two years, it’s time for action. Business wants Cameron to be brave. Yet last week’s Queen’s speech had nothing to help the private sector, save for a mild reprieve from vexatious employment tribunal claims. To add insult to injury, the legislative programme included plans for seven more quangos.