The CBI warns all political parties that whatever the make-up of the new Government after the election, the new Cabinet must get down to business with a clear delivery plan for the first 100 days to keep economic growth on track, boost investment and create opportunities for all.

In Best Foot Forward – the business plan for the first 100 days – the UK’s leading business organisation urges the new Government to focus on pro-enterprise measures and to take steps to get on top of the country’s finances. As an immediate step, the CBI is calling on the new Government to outline its fiscal rules for the Parliament and initiate a Comprehensive Spending Review.

John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said: “Whether we have a majority, minority or coalition Government, we ask those involved to ensure that the period of post-election uncertainty is kept to a minimum. We cannot afford a power vacuum that delays urgent policy decisions and unsettles potential investors, so any new Cabinet must get down to business as soon as possible. But if horse-trading is required to form a new Government, politicians must not duck the tough questions just to reach agreement and risk undermining the recovery before the ink has dried.”

“Much remains to be done to secure the UK’s economic future and business wants to see a confident, new administration getting into its stride by taking action on the key priorities, including staying on top of the public finances, meeting the urgent demand for new homes and making progress on EU reform. For any incoming Government to make its mark it needs clear delivery milestones in its first 100 days. Politicians tend to focus on the next big idea or initiative but business will judge success on the delivery. The ‘what’ is interesting but the ‘how’ you can deliver and make a difference is what really counts, even if sometimes that means sticking with what’s already working.”

In the first 100 days of Government, the CBI is calling for the new Government to:Stay on top of public finances; Start a Comprehensive Spending Review to make essential savings, encourage innovation and set out a path to further public service reform; Publish a business tax roadmap for the Parliament with a commitment to maintaining the UK as the most competitive Corporation Tax regime in the G20.

Break the infrastructure gridlock

Announce a new independent infrastructure commission, underpinned with legislation in the Queen’s Speech; Fully commit to implementing the final recommendations of the Airports Commission; Set out an ambitious, achievable reform agenda that will keep Britain in the EU. Outline a Europe-wide reform agenda focused on what will boost jobs and growth. Push for a swift completion of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) by the end of 2016.

Give people a good start in life and get them into work; Extend the 15 hours free childcare to all one and two year olds to help family finances and get people into work; Kick off a full review of 14-18 education paving the way to scrapping GCSEs and creating vocational A-levels. Don’t interfere with independent markets; Give the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) a strategic steer for the lifetime of the Parliament that will underline, not undermine its independence. Commit to a ‘one-in, two-out’ approach to any new business regulation.Commenting on the proposals, Katja Hall, CBI Deputy Director General, said: “The new Government must be honest about the challenges that still lie ahead and ensure politics does not knock growth off-track. The decision on expanding aviation capacity cannot wait another five years, so the new Government should commit to backing the final proposals from the Davies Commission.An independent commission could weave its way through the usual planning gridlock and set the wheels in motion on big projects that can deliver genuine 21st century infrastructure in the UK.”

“Referendum or no referendum, politicians must set out a constructive plan to deliver change in Brussels, to get much of the continent back on its feet by securing growth on our doorstep in our largest export market. Business and the Government of the day need a positive relationship for the best results to secure jobs and growth. The Government can set the tone by ensuring the independence of the CMA is treated as sacrosanct through the lifetime of the next Parliament.”