Member Article

Ed's latest business policies are plain dotty, says IoD boss

The boss of the Institute of Directors has criticised Ed Miliband’s business relevant policy ideas, revealed at the weekend’s Labour Party Conference.

Simon Walker dismissed the Labour leader’s idea to introduce a compulsory apprenticeship for every non EU employee a business sets on.

He said: “Compelling companies to take on an apprentice for every non EU employee is a daft policy which would damage many small and medium sized businesses just as they are starting to grow. The IoD has long supported businesses who invest in apprenticeships and training, but I’m alarmed by Labour’s proposals.

“It’s headline grabbing stuff, but in reality it will make it even harder for a small designer in Birmingham or an architect in Bristol to hire the people they need for their business. This is policy-making by soundbite.”

Mr Miliband also mooted a “strengthening” of the National Minimum Wage, and a move to impose more fines for breach of the legislation.

Mr Walker called this a “laughable political gesture” and suggested if there is a problem, existing laws should be used to prosecute companies who disobey the rule.

Previously aired plans to introduce transferable maternity leave, so that mothers and fathers can share maternity rights with grandparents, also raised suspicion from Mr Walker.

He said: “Transferable maternity leave already imposes an unpredictable burden on businesses with no connection with the original employee. Extending this to grandparents is just plain dotty.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .