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CBI urges Rachel Reeves to make 'long overdue' changes to government spending

The Chancellor has previously said she is willing to "fight" for growth but leading economists have raised the alarm about an incoming recession.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves(Image: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been called upon to implement "long overdue" changes to government spending, with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) advocating for increased investment in innovation.

Reeves has previously expressed her readiness to "fight" for growth, however, top economists have sounded the alarm over a looming recession, as reported by .

The CBI has proposed that an economic surge could be triggered if the government commits to allocating 3.4 per cent of GDP towards research and development (R&D).

According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released last year, total R&D expenditure for 2022 accounted for just under 2.8 per cent of GDP.

The business group emphasised the necessity of comprehensive reforms to skills and training funding as key drivers of growth.

It recommended that the government permit businesses to invest more of their contributions to the Growth & Skills Levy, which superseded a similar apprenticeships levy, into staff training.

Louise Hellem, the CBI's chief economist, characterised the upcoming Spring Statement as a "pivotal moment."

"To unlock sustainable growth we must move beyond discussions to accelerate investment through targeted innovation as well as policy and regulatory reforms," she stated.