Johnson, Corbyn and Swinson all made their election pitches to business today at the Confederation of British Industry conference in London.

The prime minister, who spoke first, pledged to reduce business rates, raise the employment allowance and extend tax cuts for small businesses. He also reversed a plan by former chancellor George Osborne to reduce corporation tax from 19% to 17% by 2020.

Cancelling the corporation tax cut would save £6bn, Johnson said. He added: “I hope you understand that it is the fiscally sensible thing to do.”