Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday (6 November) told British business leaders she would "get the best Brexit deal for our country".
Speaking at the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) annual conference, she said that the Conservatives’ Brexit deal would guarantee "the greatest possible access to European markets, boosting free trade across the world and delivering control over our borders, laws and money.
"We will take a balanced approach to government spending, ensuring debt is falling, and at the same time investing in our key public services and keeping taxes low.
"We will help businesses to create more good jobs across the country, with a modern industrial strategy that invests in the skills, industries and infrastructure of the future. We will build the homes our country needs."
Mrs May also tackled the allegations of sexual harassment in many areas of business and government, saying that they were something we "cannot ignore".
She said: "As representatives of British business, you know that your firms only truly succeed when you provide safe, secure and professional environments for your employees.
"Parliament and Whitehall are special places in our democracy, but they are also places of work too, and exactly the same standards and norms should govern them as govern any other workplace.
"What has been revealed over the last few weeks has been deeply troubling - and has understandably led to significant public unease. We must stand up for all the victims of abuse, harassment or discrimination, wherever it has occurred."
Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general, welcomed the speech, saying that the Prime Minister had given "her wholehearted backing to a modern industrial strategy that backs dynamic, responsible business rather than heavy handed intervention."
She said: “The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to the Florence speech and a status quo transition. This is essential for firms across the country, providing much needed stability and avoiding a catastrophic cliff-edge scenario.
“All in the government must embrace this: the road to a Florence Deal must be swift and have no deviations. Every opportunity must be taken to reduce uncertainty for the sake of jobs and the economy.”
On harassment in the workplace, she said: “Sexual harassment in all forms is totally unacceptable and has no place in any workplace in this country.
"Businesses take the wellbeing and welfare of their employees very seriously, but there is no place for complacency as this sadly remains all too common. The UK’s business leaders will help stamp out sexual harassment in the workplace.”
