The CBI today called on the new Tory Government to set out clear plans for the next Parliament within the first 100 days.
With the in-out referendum on EU membership, which has been promised with two years, grabbing political attention, the business organisation wants swift action on a number of key issues including airport capacity, deficit reduction and welfare cuts.
Its comments came ahead of the appointment of Sajid Javid as Business Secretary. Mr Javid, who grew up in Bristol, moves from his role as Culture Secretary. He has also served as a treasury minister. 
CBI deputy director-general Katja Hall: “With one of the most unpredictable elections in living memory now behind us, the new Government must get into its stride quickly. It should set out clear plans for the next Parliament within the first 100 days, and have a laser-like focus on delivery.
“The Prime Minister should prioritise building on the progress made to get the deficit down, finding more innovative ways to deliver public services and backing the final decision from the Airports Commission so we get diggers in the ground by 2020.
“Business will take an active role in arguing the case for the UK to remain inside a reformed EU, and it will be vital for the Government to set the bar for that reform at a level which is both ambitious and achievable.”
Speaking about Mr Javid’s appointment, CBI director-general John Cridland added: “We congratulate Sajid on his appointment as Business Secretary. He was an excellent treasury minister and will be a strong voice for the business community, helping to make its voice heard loud and clear at the Cabinet table.
“We want to encourage more companies, especially Britain’s forgotten army of medium-sized businesses, to boost exports and investment, to drive growth and create jobs up and down the country. We look forward to working with Sajid to achieve this.”
Phil Brownsord, South West director at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, said Mr Javid needed to focus on three priority areas – building on the success of the previous administration’s work on industrial strategy and ensuring this was applied across Government; maintaining funding for important levers of growth, including research and innovation and support for exporters, through UKTI; and helping ensure Government delivers the big ticket infrastructure projects, from additional runway capacity to rail and road improvements.
He added: “The new Secretary of State will also play an important role in any EU negotiations and in the forthcoming referendum and I am sure he understands that the vast majority of businesses he will now be representing in Government want Britain to remain at the heart of a reformed Europe.”
Meanwhile, the British Chambers of Commerce has written to the PM urging him to take bold action to secure the UK’s economic future.
