ICAEW CEO Alan Vallance discussed recommendations for a business tax roadmap with a number of ministers from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) while attending the Labour Party Conference along with Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, and President Malcolm Bacchus. 

As part of the business day at the conference, Vallance and Wright were guests for “fireside chats” with the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP, as well as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP.

At an event sponsored by ICAEW and organised by the Fabian Society, Wright appeared with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds on a panel to discuss the future of business in the UK. Zumo CEO Davina Paul and the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Haviland, were also present. 

The panel covered issues such as SME policy, regulation and investment. Wright spoke about the importance of a good relationship between workers and business owners when it comes to innovation, creativity and growth. He pointed out that the investment summit in October will be an important milestone for the government.

The conference offered opportunities to build new relationships with the government. Vallance met the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Lord Livermore at a breakfast event organised by Lansons. They discussed tax reform, the government’s industrial strategy, and the role of chartered accountants in helping the UK economy achieve the government’s stated aim of having the highest growth in the G7.

ICAEW also organised an event alongside the Labour Party Conference to hear from local members about their experiences running businesses in Liverpool and across the North West of England. The event took place at KPMG’s Liverpool office, a short walk from the conference centre. Local members cited problems with recruitment, the need for higher investment in infrastructure, and regulatory change as their main concerns.

“There was a real air of optimism at the Labour Party Conference,” says Vallance. “We talked to ministers, stakeholders and others about the aims of the new government: getting a deeper understanding, but also sharing the power of chartered accountants and how we can make a difference to the future of the UK.”

ICAEW will attend the Conservative Party's Autumn Conference, which takes place from 29 September until 2 October in Birmingham.