A comprehensive plan to improve the productivity of UK businesses has been published by the Treasury.

The policy document identifies 2 areas that the government regards as key to stimulating productivity in the UK: long term investment and a dynamic economy.

Long-term investment

The government has the aim of cutting £10 billion of red tape by 2020. Long-term investment will be generated through tax reform, innovation and upgrading infrastructure:

• Business investment
  Lower corporation tax rates, lower personal taxes and more generous capital allowances will support long-term business investment.
• Skills
  Increasing emphasis on apprenticeships and building a globally-recognised university system will combat the skills shortage.
• Infrastructure
  Upgrading transportation, energy and digital infrastructure is essential to bringing the UK economy into the 21st century.
• Innovation
  The government will continue to invest in scientific and technological innovation.

A dynamic economy

Labour market reforms, increased support for exports and deregulation have been identified by the government as essential to promote a dynamic economy:

• Market reform
  Planning permission reforms, lower state welfare and more employee benefits such as free childcare have been outlined by the government.
• Finance
  A New Bank Unit within the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority will ensure finance is provided for productive investments.
• Competition
  The government has committed itself to cutting £10 billion of red tape and exporting £1 trillion worth of goods and services by 2020.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said:

“This is a bold and ambitious plan, to achieve our vision of a more dynamic economy, with a business environment that fosters long-term investment, raising our living standards and become the best of all the major economies by 2030.”

Daniel Godfrey, chief executive of The Investment Association, said:

“It is crucial that Britain solves its productivity problem so that the economy can deliver rising standards of living and healthier public finances.”

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