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'Culture shift' needed in how UK does business, PM urges

Burnham has said those who take risks should be backed by government, but his government has been criticised for increasing business costs.

By Nexvoro Tech Wire
PUBLISHED SUN, SEP 13, 2026 9:43 PM UTC6 MIN READ

KEY POINTS

  • Primary coverage dispatched via BBC Business.
  • Signals noteworthy shifts in sector dynamics and operational developments.
  • Comprehensive factual details verified from official publication records.
  • Objective, non-partisan journalistic standards preserved.
'Culture shift' needed in how UK does business, PM urges
PHOTO VIA BBC BUSINESSNEXVORO EDITORIAL WIRE

Primary Journalistic Dispatch & Direct Reporting

The prime minister said those who take risks in business should be backed by government and local leaders should have the power to work with businesses.

The current Labour government has been criticised for increasing costs for businesses, such as with the employer national insurance and minimum wage changes under Burnham's predecessor Sir Keir Starmer.

Downing Street said Burnham will meet with the chief executives of BP, Shell, HSBC, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, BT, Vodafone, Rolls-Royce, and several others at Number 10.

In-Depth Developments & Factual Context

Ahead of the meeting, Burnham said he would give people "the confidence that if they have a great idea, they'll get all the support they need to bring it to life".

"When local leaders have the tools to get things done and government works in partnership with business, you can pull in investment, create jobs and transform communities," he said.

He added the government would be "a partner for growth to make every part of Britain better off".

Industry Impact & Strategic Analysis

Burnham will host a reception for the business community where local leaders are invited before a private engagement with senior chief executives at Downing Street on Monday evening.

The meeting comes as higher borrowing costs in the UK and other countries present problems for governments looking to spend money on business support or investment.

Official data revealed a surprise boost in the economy in July partly driven by artificial intelligence (AI) investment , though experts expect growth to slow in the months ahead due to high energy prices.

Forward Outlook & Market Perspective

The US-Israel war with Iran has led to a sharp jump in oil prices, which has fed through to higher energy and fuel prices , affecting households and businesses.

This rise in energy costs has led to fears that inflation will remain high, and increase the chance that central banks will hike interest rates to keep price rises under control.

The expectation of higher interest rates, as well as competition for debt from AI firms looking to spend money on development, has driven up the cost of government borrowing in many countries.

However, many argue the UK has a particular problem with high government debt. The UK yield for 10-year bonds, a key measure of government debt costs, is higher than countries such as the US, France, and Japan.

Experts say this is due to several factors affecting investor confidence in the UK, such as multiple prime ministers, chancellors and policy U-turns over a short period.

In an interview with the BBC last week, Chancellor John Healey called for a restoration of "confidence about Britain" despite acknowledging the challenge of "historic high" borrowing costs .

Reporting synthesized and verified under Nexvoro.tech editorial guidelines. Full primary records referenced via BBC Business.

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Reporting synthesized under Nexvoro.tech Editorial Standards • Referenced via BBC Business
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