The Chamber

French Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Government’s Legislative Programme and Highlights Key Manifesto Proposals

17 July 2024

uk-new-government-manifesto-French-Chamber-of-Great-Britain

Today, the government outlined its legislative programme aimed at boosting economic renewal in Britain. Last week, the Chamber published its own Manifesto for Jobs and Growth, reflecting the shared ambition of our members and the government. We were particularly pleased to see the following commitments, which directly echo the priorities outlined in our manifesto.

Immigration System Modernisation: The government’s pledge to modernise the immigration system aligns with our manifesto’s call for a visa process that is affordable, flexible, and efficient. Current visa requirements and increased salary thresholds pose significant challenges in attracting and retaining skilled professionals from overseas, often hindering growth.
Energy Independence Bill: This bill will establish Great British Energy, a new publicly-owned company set to invest in renewable energy projects. This initiative supports our manifesto's emphasis on renewable energy development. The complementary energy capabilities of France and Britain present a unique opportunity for collaboration in delivering low-carbon energy solutions.

Furthermore, we urge the government to consider another key proposal from our manifesto:

Youth Mobility Program: Implement a structured youth mobility programme that gives EU individuals the right to work in Britain for an agreed-upon period. This initiative would foster cultural exchange, enhance skill development, and address UK labour market needs.

Additionally, we are eagerly looking forward to the European Political Community meeting next week, marking a crucial step towards improved relations with the EU. This dialogue, centred around strategic mutual interests such as defence, energy security and transition, and international trade agreements, is vital for our collective progress and we are excited to be a part of it.

Over the coming months, we will continue to review the legislative process and promote the interests of members through dialogue with new ministers and our UK France Business Forum. If you want to know more about our advocacy work or want to get involved, please contact David Lutton at dlutton(@)ccfgb.co.uk