Andrew Griffith, the shadow business and trade secretary, has addressed an open letter to Jonathan Reynolds following his reappointment as Business Secretary, urging decisive action to reverse what Griffith describes as damaging economic trends linked to recent government policies. Griffith calls on Reynolds to prioritize national economic recovery over party politics as the UK faces rising unemployment and low business confidence.
Griffith draws attention to several policy areas initiated or overseen during Reynolds’s previous tenure as Business Secretary, including the Employment Rights Act. He criticizes measures within the act, such as the expansion of trade union rights and increased protections for employees that Griffith argues have contributed to rising youth unemployment and the loss of more than 160,000 payrolled jobs. Among the specific provisions he highlights are the upcoming introduction of online strike ballots, extensions to employment tribunal claim limits that could exacerbate an already significant backlog, and a “right to roam” for trade unions allowing increased access to workplaces.
The letter stresses the urgency of pausing the implementation of these aspects, which Griffith contends remain reversible if action is taken quickly. He warns that continuing on the current path risks the UK returning to economic stagnation reminiscent of the 1970s, with high unemployment and declining industrial vitality.
Energy costs for businesses are another focal point. Griffith criticizes the current industrial energy pricing structure, which he says is substantially higher than that of international competitors, and calls on Reynolds to collaborate with the Energy Secretary to establish broad-based, sustainable energy pricing reforms. He specifically urges scrapping the Energy Profits Levy and carbon taxes, while supporting renewed efforts to increase domestic oil and gas production under Conservative proposals dubbed “Get Britain Drilling.”
Automotive manufacturing also features prominently. Griffith calls for the abolition of the government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate, which imposes fines on carmakers producing combustion engine vehicles. He argues that these fines force manufacturers to purchase credits from foreign electric vehicle producers instead of meeting domestic consumer preferences, contributing to a decline in UK car production to its lowest levels in over seven decades.
Beyond these industry-specific policies, Griffith encourages Reynolds to expedite deregulation through the Regulating for Growth Bill, emphasizing the need to reduce bureaucratic obstacles that hinder construction and business expansion. He expresses willingness from Conservative MPs to assist in identifying and removing unnecessary regulatory burdens that Griffith says are impeding UK competitiveness.
Finally, Griffith highlights concerns about continued uncertainty surrounding tax policy, which he suggests suppresses business investment and hiring. He calls for the Chancellor to commit to no further tax increases to restore confidence within the private sector.
Acknowledging the scale of the challenges ahead, Griffith notes that some problems predate the current Labour government but argues that recent policies have worsened conditions for businesses. He concludes by warning that without prompt reforms, the UK risks economic decline comparable to that experienced in the 1970s, urging Reynolds to act swiftly to avoid such an outcome.