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.