Writing for The Sun on Friday 31 July, the Conservative party leader argued the Government should focus on creating the right conditions for businesses to expand rather than relying on greater state intervention.
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The remarks came days after Prime Minister Andy Burnham set out plans to hand more powers to England’s mayors.
Under the proposals, regional leaders would be given a share of locally raised income tax and business rates, giving them more control over how money is spent in their communities.
Economic recovery
Instead, Badenoch said her vision for economic recovery was centred on small businesses.
Highlighting pubs specifically as a crucial part of her plans, she argued “more Government cannot create growth”.
She wrote: “I believe Britain’s central problem is that our economy is not growing, and more government cannot create growth.
“Only businesses can create growth. And when I say business, I do not mean only large corporations or city slickers in suits.
“I mean the landlord of a pub who takes on an apprentice. I mean the person who mortgages their home to open a small company and employ their first member of staff.
Creating growth
“I mean the farmers who put seeds in the ground and produce the food we eat. I mean builders who take an empty site and turn it into a home or an office.
“I mean manufacturers who make things, and service companies that make everybody’s lives easier. These are the people who create growth. Politicians do not."
Badenoch’s column followed calls from pub operators for wider tax reforms, after they welcomed the Government’s decision to cut business rates but warned further support was needed across the sector.
Speaking to The Morning Advertiser (The MA), industry leaders said further reforms on tax, employment costs and regulation were needed to help pubs grow and create jobs, echoing Badenoch’s call to put small businesses at the heart of economic growth.
