Rachel Reeves has called on Britain to learn from Donald Trump’s ‘positivity’ in order to revive the ‘animal spirits’ of the economy.
The Chancellor struck a notably more boosterish tone amid concerns over sluggish growth and low business confidence. She claimed ‘we’ve got our best days ahead of us’ and should be ‘shouting from the rooftops’ about Britain’s strengths as she prepares to unveil plans to unleash growth in a speech on Wednesday.
As part of her bid to kick-start the economy, Ms Reeves will ‘take an axe to red tape that slows down approval of infrastructure projects’, including ‘voluminous and costly’ Environmental Impact Assessments (EAIs).
She will also announce backing for a regeneration project around Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
The redevelopment, which has been championed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, will include housing and commercial business and comes as the football club discusses plans for a new stadium.
It is understood that ministers’ support would involve helping to speed up the redevelopment. A Government source said this shows its commitment to development in the North.
Ms Reeves is also expected to announce approval of a third runway at Heathrow, which the MoS first reported in July – a move that’s put her at loggerheads with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
In an interview with the Times yesterday, the Chancellor was asked about the US President’s ‘boosterism’ and if the UK can learn from him. ‘Yes, I think we do need more positivity,’ she said. ‘I’ve challenged businesses as well and said no one else is going to speak up for Britain apart from us. It hasn’t been a very British thing to say.
As part of her bid to kick-start the economy, Rachel Reeves will ‘take an axe to red tape that slows down approval of infrastructure projects’
The Chancellor was asked about Donald Trump’s (pictured) ‘boosterism’ and if the UK can learn from him. ‘Yes, I think we do need more positivity,’ she said
Ms Reeves is expected to announce approval of a third runway at Heathrow – a move that’s put her at loggerheads with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband (pictured)
‘We are absolutely fantastic as a country. We’ve got four of the best universities in the world. We’ve got some of the most amazing entrepreneurs with fantastic ideas. In all the sectors that are growing globally – AI, tech, clean energy – Britain has got unbelievable strengths in those sectors.
‘We shouldn’t apologise for it and we shouldn’t be all polite about it. We should be shouting from the rooftops.’
The Treasury announced plans today to ‘replace environmental assessments for building homes and infrastructure with a new system’. EAIs, which ‘too often support legal challenges rather than the environment’, will be dropped in favour of ‘simpler’ Environmental Outcome Reports.
The current system ‘often means too many organisations consulted on too wide a range of issues, clogging up much-needed development,’ officials said.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which aims to get projects approved faster, will be introduced to Parliament in spring, Ms Reeves confirmed.
The Chancellor said: ‘I am fighting every single day in our mission to kick-start the economy. That includes avenues that others have shied away from. Too often the answer to new development has been “no”. But that has stunted economic growth.’
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said: ‘We will await the detail – after all Labour have a long history of saying one thing, and then doing another.
‘Despite promising that she could be trusted with the public finances, Rachel Reeves has driven down growth and business confidence as a result of her rhetoric and job- destroying Budget.’
