Jonathan Reynolds, the new business and trade secretary, yesterday (9 July) launched his department’s engagement with industry, saying that “there is no time to waste”.
Reynolds, who now leads the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), met with more than 170 senior business leaders yesterday morning, including the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade’s advisory services director Kevin Shakespeare.
A departmental source told the Guardian that Reynolds set out the government’s four key priorities during the call:
- Delivering an industrial strategy that drives growth
- Supporting small businesses
- Resetting trade relations and boosting UK exports
- Making work pay
‘Tell Jonathan’
DBT has also set up a new email address through which businesses can contact the minister about how they think the four priorities can be achieved.
In a LinkedIn article posted by DBT, Reynolds wrote that he wanted to hear from businesses, regardless of whether “your business has one or 1,000+ employees”. He wanted to hear from them about:
- “How we should use our industrial strategy to kickstart Britain’s economy?
- “How you have supported your teams while also growing your business so we can take forward the best examples to inform our work?
- “What’s stopping you growing if you’re a small business owner?
- “How we should use our trade strategy to drive up exports and sell more British-designed, British-made products and services to markets around the world?”
The email address to contact is TellJonathan@BusinessandTrade.gov.uk.
Partnership
In the article, Reynolds said that the new Labour government “will build prosperity through partnership”.
“We will continue the work we started in opposition to bring together business, government and workers to kickstart our economy and rebuild our country. There is no time to waste.
“That’s why, in my first few days as Secretary of State, I have spoken with dozens of business owners and entrepreneurs representing companies of all shapes, sizes and sectors.”
Confidence boost
The Chartered Institute yesterday welcomed yesterday’s statement from Reynolds.
Its UK public affairs lead Grace Thompson said:
“We warmly welcome the commitment to delivering an industrial strategy which will give businesses, large and small, the confidence to invest and plan for the long term.
“We are particularly encouraged by the strong emphasis on the need to boost export growth, which is foundational to economic recovery.
“We encourage our members to submit feedback to the DBT on these issues and we look forward to providing a strong voice for trusted trade processes ourselves.”