1319 GMT - Prospective future British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plans to spread growth outside London and throughout U.K. regions must see money spent to boost local growth and not mean further costs on business, says Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce. "It's crucial that the devolution agenda has local business at its heart." Creating greater parity between academic and technical qualifications--one of Burnham's plans set out in a speech Monday--is something business wholeheartedly supports, Haviland says. A pledge to improve public procurement is also welcome. But new local business taxes and visitor levies would stifle economic growth. "Firms need consistency, clarity and stability from policymakers, if business confidence is to be improved," she adds. (edward.frankl@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 29, 2026 09:19 ET (13:19 GMT)

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