Thursday, 14 July 2011

Confederation of British Industry

• 04th July- A joint report from the CBI/PwC indicated that whilst jobs have increased, growth has slowed in financial services.
• 29th June- CBI welcomed BIS's launch of the 'See Inside Manufacturing' programme as a "great opportunity to learn more about our world-class manufacturing industries."
• 13th June- CBI responded to BIS's consultation on the competition regime. They highlighted that the system needs to be more efficient and fast-reacting, deliver consistent outcomes so companies can invest with a high degree of certainty, and interventions must be proportionate to the perceived threat.

British Chambers of Commerce

• 13th July- Commenting on the recent ONS employment statistics, the BCC has said that regulation needs to be reduced to encourage the private sector to create jobs.
• 05th July- Results from the BCC's new survey of sole traders shows that employment legislation including pension requirements, dismissal rules and sickness absence rules deter sole traders from taking on first employee.
• 09th June- Commenting on the launch of Growth Phase Two, Director of Policy Adam Marshall has highlighted the need to improve infrastructure and develop a skills system to match business needs.

Institute of Directors

• 06th July- The IoD blogs on how less government intervention may allow businesses to take the initiative to further the UK's skills.
• 23rd June- Commenting on BIS's independent review of the UK's equity markets, Miles Templeman has said "It is not clear what a further review of these issues will uncover. What is needed right now is a period of stability in corporate policy making, not further uncertainty."

Federation of Small Businesses

• 13th July- the FSB's new report said that fast-track planning applications for small firms could be a key driver for growth.
• 15th June- A joint report from the FSB and the military charity Heropreneurs has called on the Government to work with businesses to help people who leave the Armed Forces to set up their own business.

Higher Education

• BIS published the Higher Education White Paper- Students at the Heart of the System. Partners HEFCE, OFFA and OIA welcomed their roles and the agenda set out in the Paper.
• Guild HE welcomed the White Paper, including the commitment to choice within a diverse sector. They highlight that the most significant issue for everybody - institutions, students and ministers - remains the new financial system, and no one can be certain of its impact.
• The NUS is concerned that the key issues are being confused, including how quality, accountability and access will be improved.
• 1994 Group's most overriding concern is that the White Paper does not address the full range of activities that go on in UK universities – research, post-graduate students, internationalism.

In the Pipeline...

In Higher Education, Professor Sir Tim Wilson (HEFCE) has agreed to take forward a review of higher education and business engagement, to report in late autumn. Given his expertise, Sir Tim has said he is delighted to help improve links between businesses and universities.

Have something to contribute? 

The sections of this bulletin entitled ‘BIS Policy Stakeholders’ & ‘In the Pipeline’ are intended to allow you to share what is currently being said by your stakeholders, and what future pieces of work may bring stakeholder reaction.