NEWS

Responses to Shadow Chancellor's party conference speech

On 5 October, Shadow Chancellor, Andrew Griffith, delivered his speech to the Conservative Party conference.  

In his speech, the Shadow Chancellor outlined his 'plan to make our country prosperous again' by focusing on five key areas: lower, simpler and fairer taxes, cheaper energy, getting people into work, cutting red tape and backing business.  

He stated his ambition to scrap at least one tax every Budget including: removing stamp duty land tax entirely on primary homes, reversing the limits on Agricultural and Business Property relief and removing VAT on private school fees. Other proposals discussed in the speech included support for the Heathrow expansion and an emphasis on faster planning and proportionate regulation.  

John Foster, Chief Policy & Campaigns Officer, CBI responded:   

'Andrew Griffith is right to put competitiveness and the conditions for private-sector growth at the heart of the economic debate.'  

Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:    

'We welcome the shadow Chancellor’s pledge to cut taxes and give firms some breathing space on their future bills. This is central to allowing them to plan with confidence and unlock much needed investment in the UK economy.'  

READ MORE Conservative Party, CBI, BCC

15/10/2026