A network of five business councils helmed by private sector bosses including Tesco’s Dave Lewis is set to be dismantled as the government looks to overhaul how it engages with industry leaders.
Downing Street is set to dismantle the sector of five business councils covering sectors ranging from consumer, retail and life sciences, financial and professional services and industrial infrastructure and manufacturing which was set up by Johnson predecessor Theresa May in November 2018.
According to Sky News, the prime minister has made no attempt to reactivate the network, which includes private sector bosses such as Tesco’s Dave Lewis and Rolls Royce Holdings chairman Sir Ian Davis following the general election, despite holding one meeting with the council’s co-chairs last October.
Sources close to the situation said it was highly unlikely the existing structure would remain in place. Business leaders involved in the committee reportedly believe that Johnson may consider creating a consolidated new committee of business advisers in the coming months to replace the current system, which they expect to be scrapped.
The current quintet of business sector councils comprises 70 members which are scheduled to meet twice annually with the Prime Minister and a further time with a senior cabinet minister.
However, officials are understood to have felt the current system was inefficient and many issues raised were duplicated across different councils.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The prime minister and his business team are refreshing how best to engage with businesses to ensure Britain is the number one country in the world to start, grow and run a business.
“The prime minister remains committed to closely working with industry and future plans will be set out in due course.”
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