RICS engages with 5 influential MPs
By Tim Wainwright, RICS Parliamentary Affairs Officer
RICS continues to build its engagement with Parliamentary Private Secretaries, who are the eyes and ears of Ministers, both among backbenchers in the House of Commons and amongst the public at large. This time RICS attended an intimate discussion with five Conservative PPS’s. Those at the table included Nick Boles MP (PPS to Minister of State for Schools); Nicky Morgan MP (PPS to Minister of State for Universities and Science); David Rutley MP (PPS to Minister for Immigration); Andrew Selous MP (PPS to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions) and Ben Wallace MP (PPS to Justice Secretary). Given the diverse set of ministerial departments present, topics were wide and varying. For the audience however, a group of business and industry representatives, high on the agenda was the Government’s plans for growth.
Focusing on SMEs it was felt that there are great opportunities abroad, especially in China and it is time for the Government to do more for SMEs through organisations such as UKTI. The panel were fully behind the Government’s plan for infrastructure and that they really shouldn’t hold back from driving the policy forward. Infrastructure investment will create huge numbers of opportunities for business and spin off opportunities for new start-ups. Concerns were raised from the floor that infrastructure is a long terms solution and what policies are there for the short to medium term? Again the panel felt that it was about the international picture and that businesses need to look abroad. Speakers felt the red tape challenge and the removal of out dated regulations were in fact short term measures as they could happen now, without delay but free up the ability for businesses to grow and expand. The panel believe that the Government is right to be looking long term as these are the policies for a sustainable future for UK PLC.
On the forthcoming budget on the 24th March 2012, it was felt that there would be nothing particularly new. Further announcements on investments in infrastructure could be a possibility. The Chancellor may look to a one off, specific surge in spending or a one-off tax cut. However, both would have to be repaid at a later date and would be likely to damage confidence in the deficit reduction plans. Pension fund investment in infrastructure was an important consideration for Mr Osborne.
The panel of PPS’s called on two things from the assembled business community. The first was an increased pressure for deregulation and ideas for the red tape challenge. Deregulation is possible however pressure from business is required. Deregulation costs nothing and is a short term plan, can significantly influence growth in different sectors, yet MPs are not feeling the pressure nor the demand from businesses. Secondly, MPs and PPS’s wanted honesty from businesses. There is no point saying a company is moving its manufacturing from one country to another and say it had nothing to do with current government policy. If there were genuine reasons why the business was moving that could be mitigated by changes in government policy then be honest and open. Tell government, why businesses are investing, moving or expanding and what the skills shortage is across the country.
The issue of Scotland’s independence was the final topic of discussion. Panellists felt business needed to ramp up their campaign and make an economic argument on the negatives of Scottish independence. A very personal issue for a number of MPs but it was no coincidence that the Chair left the concluding remarks to Mr Ben Wallace MP!
Through these events RICS continues to build relationships with key parliamentarians and build recognition of RICS as leading the land, property and construction sector.