Overview

• The June 23 event featuring Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Jonathan Reynolds was postponed following poor ticket sales.
• Companies told organisers that cuts to public affairs budgets led them to pull out of the conference.
• Invitations had touted a ‘first of its kind’ agenda to discuss Labour’s plan for economic growth with industry leaders.
• This setback follows a cancelled £1,500-a-head Merseyside event in March and a criticised £3,000 ‘business day’ in September.
• Business figures have grown critical of Labour’s enterprise tax hikes and new employment rights legislation from the October Budget.