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Driving change

Progress & impact in April

Supporting businesses and shaping the response to the Middle East crisis

The CBI has supported members through disruption while taking business insights directly to the highest levels of the government, including the Chancellor, Cabinet Office and No10. Our crisis hub and briefings have supported hundreds of businesses to understand risks, respond quickly, and apply practical mitigation strategies.

Reducing the cost and complexity of employment tax

CBI engagement through the Employment Taxes Working Group has driven practical reforms that cut admin, complexity and cost at scale. Changes to workplace benefits, reporting for short-term business visitors, and a long-awaited mileage rates review will save businesses thousands of hours each year.

Securing measures to ease business cost pressures

The CBI has secured a series of wins to reduce cost pressures on firms, including the removal of VAT on donated goods following joint campaigning and exemptions to 60-day payment terms. Alongside this, we have influenced debates on tourism tax, business rates and salary sacrifice.

Strengthening UK competitiveness through energy cost support

The CBI played a key role in securing an extension to the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS), with the Business Secretary recognising our contribution. We are now building on this through collaboration with Energy UK to make the case for further energy cost support.

Putting business at the centre of Scotland’s economic debate

CBI Scotland brought together over 300 business leaders, national media, and six party leaders – including the First Minister – at a major business hustings in Edinburgh.

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Delivering for businesses like yours

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Supporting businesses through the Middle East crisis
The CBI supported members through disruption while taking business insights directly to the government and highlighting energy cost risks.
Expanded Jobs Guarantee to boost youth labour supply
The government extended Jobs Guarantee eligibility to age 24 – covering 100% of employment costs for 25 hours a week at the relevant minimum wage.
Progress on UK-Ireland cross-border employment barriers
CBI and Ibec engagement helped drive progress towards a UK-Ireland agreement to reduce barriers and improve talent mobility.
Securing a workable approach to business payment terms
CBI engagement secured exemptions from 60-day payment terms, protecting working capital across large and international transactions.
Influencing EU industrial policy to support UK firms
The CBI helped secure UK recognition in the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act, supporting market access and competitiveness for UK firms.
Stronger support for commercial development in planning policy
The government adopted a CBI recommendation in the National Planning Policy Framework to strengthen support for commercial development and unlock investment.
Helping you navigate global risk
Championed UK business interests on global trade, security and economic stability at Davos and through our partnership with BritishAmerican Business.
Shaping workplace reforms
We secured changes to Employment Rights Bill proposals on fire and rehire and collective redundancy, reducing the most damaging impacts on growth and investment.
Saving you time and cost on tax administration
A £1.6bn HMRC digital upgrade will streamline tax processes, reducing administrative burden and saving businesses significant time and effort.
Pushing down the cost of doing business
With Energy UK, we called for urgent action to reduce high business energy costs holding back growth and competitiveness.
Unlocking regional growth opportunities
We brought together 12 of 14 mayoral regions to drive collaboration on infrastructure, investment and local growth.
Giving you more flexibility to invest in skills
Reform of the Apprenticeship Levy into a broader Growth and Skills Levy gives employers greater freedom to invest in a wider range of training programmes.
Reducing trade friction with the EU
Eight of our recommendations were adopted in the EU-UK Common Understanding, helping to improve cooperation and ease barriers for business.
Securing reliable energy and supply chain opportunities
£14.2bn investment in Sizewell C supports long-term energy security while creating jobs and opportunities across UK supply chains.
Unlocking investment and innovation
An uplift in public R&D funding will help crowd in private investment, supporting innovation and long-term business growth.

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