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Campaign — UK competitiveness

The government must prioritise long-term decisions

Members tell us they can now see some bright spots emerging in the UK economy. But the challenges are persistent: sluggish productivity growth and underperforming business investment compared to international competitors. We are at a turning point, with a chance to tackle the challenges we face and to unite around a positive vision for the UK that builds on our strengths and gets the economy firing on all cylinders.


The change we're calling for

To drive growth, we must re-establish the UK’s economic competitiveness. Fixing our economic foundations at home and strengthening the UK’s pitch to the world can rapidly shift UK growth and productivity. The government must prioritise the long-term decisions that can deliver a decade of sustainable growth and make the UK a more attractive place to do business. That means ensuring we are at the top of the league table when it comes to investment, with a focus on important enablers like tax, planning and a clear industrial strategy.

  • A trade and investment strategy focused on boosting UK exports, securing imports, and growing investment to enhance the UK's competitive edge, aligned with Mayors' transformative role in unlocking the potential of UK regions

  • A tax environment that drives investment, with a long-term UK Business Tax Roadmap to create a simplified, digitised system focused on international competitiveness

  • A reformed planning system to accelerate decisions, reduce bureaucracy, and prioritise grid connections through a UK-wide Planning for Growth Strategy

Quote —

“Industrial strategy can help business bridge to a new evolving economy and should sit at the heart of the government’s agenda. The global transitions we face require us to double down on our competitive advantages. Without that, we won't reach net zero, diffuse AI, and increase UK trade and productivity levels.”

Jordan Cummins, UK Competitiveness Director, CBI

Why it's needed

As public spending is squeezed and monetary policy is likely to remain tight, growth will come squarely off the back of the private sector. The government cannot restore confidence and get to grips with structural challenges alone and must partner with business to harness insights, innovation and optimism to deliver lasting change.

We need a bold pitch to the world to attract inward investment in a competitive global environment – one that elevates the international standing of UK Mayors in successfully appealing to investors.

We need an industrial strategy based on partnership between business and government, to crowd in private finance rather than freezing it out, and London needs to be the dynamic capital for global listings.

We need a simplified, consistent business tax system that firms can plan for, and we need the government to show political courage in addressing the slow, bureaucratic processes which slow down expansion and new investments.

More than anything we need a long-term, sustainable vision of what the UK’s economy could be in 2030 and a plan to realise it, delivered through collaboration between business and government.

Manage the costs of doing business

Over the past five years, the UK economy has been hit by a series of 'one-off' shocks—Brexit, Covid, global conflicts, and the resulting energy crisis. As a result, the focus has shifted more towards absorbing these shocks than driving growth. The CBI is working hard to support its members through these challenging times.

  • UK Competitiveness —

    Reforming the business rates system

  • Future of Work —

    Manage rising costs in your workforce

  • Net zero —

    Manage rising energy costs

  • UK policy —

    Boost your business’ operational resilience

Make the UK the best place to start, grow and run a business

UK businesses have no shortage of strategy, ambition or talent, but the operating environment often fails to support growth. Whether it’s securing finance for start-ups to scale up, improving cyber and supply chain resilience, or ensuring competitiveness across regions and nations, we want the UK to be the best place in the world to start, grow and run a business.

  • UK Competitiveness —

    Strengthening the UK’s economic resilience

  • UK policy —

    EY/CBI launch Powering Growth: an SME guide to accessing finance

  • UK Competitiveness —

    Why clusters matter for regional economic growth

  • UK policy —

    Tackling supply chain challenges: CEO action plan

Ensure the UK is a competitive place for large companies to be listed

There is significant concern about the long-term decline in liquidity in London markets due to structural, regulatory and market factors.

  • UK Competitiveness —

    Ensuring the UK is a competitive place for large companies to be listed

Trade internationally

Fewer than 10% of UK businesses currently export, despite the numerous opportunities that exporting presents for growth and competition. Companies that trade internationally tend to be more productive, innovative and have a more diversified risk profile. Exporting can be a powerful driver of growth.

  • Technology & innovation —

    Toolkit: Trading internationally and winning with fintech

Get regulation right

Regulation is often misunderstood, but it can be a cost-free growth lever, especially during times of financial restraint. We aim to reimagine regulation to boost innovation and attract investment, creating a competitive edge for the UK compared to more centralised and legalistic approaches in other countries.

  • UK policy —

    Getting Regulation Right

  • UK policy —

    The Office for Future Regulation

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