British Chambers of Commerce backs Tory pledge to cut business taxes ahead of Burnham's Budget this month

From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026.

The British Chambers of Commerce has lent its support to the Conservative Party's tax-cutting programme, backing shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith's commitment to abolish one tax annually should the party win power. Griffith made the announcement at the Conservative conference in Birmingham, where he promised a "bonfire of red tape" and the abolition of arms-length government bodies. The BCC's Kate Shoesmith cautioned that the complexity of Britain's tax system is pushing businesses toward a "more cautious approach" and deterring investment. The development increases pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham ahead of his Budget later this month.

Griffith also pledged to scrap the plastic packaging tax, which has angered manufacturers and food producers across Britain.

Griffith told the conference: 'I didn't come here to raise taxes — I came to lower them,' and promised cuts only when fiscally affordable.

Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith also accused Burnham of trying to drag Britain back to a 'socialist fever dream' of the 1970s.