CMI Response to Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn at CBI 2019

Niamh Mulholland, Director of Comms and External Affairs at the Chartered Management Institute commenting on the speech delivered by Boris Johnson at the CBI Annual Conference, said:

Gender pay gap:

“I was glad to hear Mr Johnson recognise the need to tackle the gender pay gap and childcare provision to bolster UK productivity. I hope real policies, which drive real change on flexible working for those with caring responsibilities, will be present in the Conservative manifesto.”

On Brexit:

“Boris Johnson correctly identified that delivering certainty around Brexit should be the immediate focus of the next government. Unfortunately until resolution is delivered, regardless of who the next Prime Minister is, they will struggle to tackle any of the other big issues that have been identified during the election campaign whether that be adult education, workplace inequality or climate change.

Tax cuts:

“Tax cuts for businesses, whether through business rates or national insurance contributions are welcome. But whilst they may make life a little easier for business owners, they pale in comparison to the economic risk that a disorderly Brexit would create.

Niamh Mulholland, Director of Comms and External Affairs at the Chartered Management Institute commenting on the speech delivered by Jeremy Corbyn at the CBI Annual Conference, said:

Climate change apprenticeships:

“Business must fix the "broken windows" of gender bias that impede women’s careers and mar their day-to-day experiences in the workplace. There are huge benefits to ensuring companies promote workplace equality – with McKinsey estimating that ‘diversity dividend’ could add £150bn to the UK economy by 2025.”

“It was good to hear a candidate for Prime Minister talk about the need to address inequality in the workplace.

On Brexit:

“If a Labour Government wishes to hold a second, confirmatory referendum, business will want to see more detail about how it can be implemented without creating more uncertainty and delay.