Five new business councils to advise PM on post-Brexit opportunities

The Prime Minister, Theresa May, has formed five new business councils to advise her on how to create the best business conditions in the UK after Brexit.

Each council will aim to meet three times a year, twice with the Prime Minister and once with a senior cabinet minister, to provide high-level advice and policy recommendations on the critical issues affecting business. The councils will also be a forum for government to share developing policy ideas and seek the views of members.

Co-chaired by two business leaders, each council will have around ten members representing core sectors of the UK economy, as well as a representative from the UK’s key business groups.

The Prime Minister, Theresa May, said: “The UK has always been one of the best places in the world to do business and is a leader in sectors from advanced manufacturing to the creative industries. Brexit presents a huge opportunity to build a better, stronger economy for people all over the country.

“So I’ve asked these new councils to advise us on the opportunities and challenges facing business as we shape the UK for the future.”

The Prime Minister will welcome the co-chairs at Downing Street for the first time today, where she will set out their objectives and they will discuss cross-cutting issues such as productivity and international investment.

Going forward, the co-chairs will be responsible for preparing agendas, ensuring all members are briefed, and driving outcomes and progress on the key enabling opportunities for the businesses represented by their council.

One of the council members, Sir Roger Carr, Chairman, BAE Systems commented: “Companies in the Industrial, Manufacturing and Infrastructure sectors are the backbone of the economy and amongst our largest employers. We are a vital part of the wealth creating machinery of the country where improved training, productivity and exporting will be the cornerstones of our global success. Engaging with the Prime Minister to tackle these issues in a focused and practical manner is a welcome and important step forward in achieving our collective growth ambitions.”

The launch of five business councils is a new initiative and forms part of a comprehensive, sector-focused approach, enabling the Prime Minister and government to engage directly with more businesses in the different sectors of the UK economy.