BCC: Osborne Strikes Right Note With Business, But Will Need To Deliver

The Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne, has outlined the Conservative Party's eight economic benchmarks today. Commenting, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

"This was a business-focused speech that provides a clearer road map for what a potential Conservative government would try to achieve.

"There wasn't a huge amount of detail, or new policy. However, the broad ambitions to rebalance the economy towards exports and investment, a desire for lower taxes and less regulation, and a push to grow the private sector across every region are moves that Chambers of Commerce have been campaigning for throughout the recent recession.

"What our members will want to see is the Conservatives sticking to this road map, and actually delivering on these ambitions should they win a General Election. In the meantime, it is equally important for the Government to set out clear plans to bring down the budget deficit and enable a business-led recovery - both in the short and longer-term."

BCC Annual Conference, 18th March 2010: www.bcc-preparingforchange.co.uk

The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce, serving over 100,000 businesses across the UK, which employ over five million people. For more information visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk