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Responding to the Autumn Statement Sam Richards, founder and campaign director at pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, said:

“Ahead of the Autumn Statement Jeremy Hunt said he was focused on delivering growth. Away from the headline grabbing personal tax announcements, the news on planning reform and supporting businesses to invest has set the right course, but with the news that the economy is set to grow just 0.7% next year, the job is far from finished.

“With full expensing Britain now has some of the most competitive tax reliefs for business investment in the world. I’m delighted that the Chancellor has listened to our call and made this permanent. By doing so firms large and small have been handed a £10bn boost, a move that will put rocket boosters under business investment up and down Britain. Now companies can plan for the long-term and invest in new plant and machinery - creating jobs and boosting productivity.

“Speeding up the time it takes to get spades in the ground for infrastructure projects is critical to boosting the economy and creating jobs. So, it was great to see the Chancellor accept the latest recommendations from the National Infrastructure Committee which are designed to do exactly that. 

“Government must now work at breakneck speed to implement the changes needed. If they do not I, along with thousands of Britain Remade supporters, fear it will still take far too long to build the new sources of clean energy needed to power industry, the new roads and railways to connect communities and the new homes for our young people who dream of one day owning their own homes.

“The typical British family is already poorer than the typical American and German family. If we continue to fail to build the infrastructure our economy needs, then by the end of this decade we will be poorer than the typical Polish family as well. If we want growth and jobs Britain must get building, today’s statement by the Chancellor has set that exact course.”

ENDS