Business demands action on tax

BCC conference: Probably business's last chance before the general election to address political leaders

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has called for urgent action by the government on tax, red tape and other business issues.

The call came on the eve of the BCC's annual conference at which the organisation will formally launch Empowering Business - a manifesto setting out what it believes should be the business agenda of the next government.

The most important priority for any government is to create the right conditions for business

BCC president Anthony Goldstone

The conference is expected to be the last major business event before the general election and has attracted speakers from the three main parties including Trade & Industry Secretary Stephen Byers, Home Secretary Jack Straw, Conservative leader William Hague and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is rumoured to be considering making an impromptu appearance at the two-day meet.

Joint business call

Also notable is the fact that the UK's three main business groups will be sharing the same platform for the first time.

Outgoing BCC director general Chris Humphries will be joined for a presentation on supporting enterprise by Confederation of British Industry director general Digby Jones and Institute of Directors director general George Cox.

The three business leaders are expected to call for a lightening of the tax burden on business as well as a simplification of tax regulations.

They also want a reduction in red tape, details of the government's 10-year transport plan, more action on skills training and an easing of regulation of electronic business.

"The most important priority for any government is to create the right conditions for business," BCC president Anthony Goldstone said on Monday.

"We need to tackle the fundamentals - low skill levels, lack of business investment, a dilapidated transport infrastructure and regulatory burden on small firms."

Euro silence expected

The BCC said figures showed that while UK corporation tax rates compared well with those elsewhere in Europe, the overall tax burden in the UK was 14.5% of gross domestic product against 10% in the US and 12.8% in Germany.

The BCC is also set to argue that the regulatory burden in the UK is greater than elsewhere in Europe.

The business leaders are thought unlikely to press politicians on the euro or highlight their own attitudes towards the European single currency.

Analysts say they are themselves divided on the issue and will concentrate on presenting a united business front to the main political parties.

BBC News Online will be streaming the conference live on this site from Tuesday morning.