‘Details remain thin but the focus looks broadly right’

Labour’s charm offensive with business leaders has soured slightly in recent months over its plans to reform workers’ rights. As such, it will likely see the generally upbeat if muted reaction from industry to its manifesto launch as a victory.

Paul Johnson, the economist, captured the mood when he criticised the lack of “big numbers” in the party’s tax and spending plans but welcomed the focus in the manifesto on “economic growth and stability”.

“Planning reform, an effective industrial strategy, promises of regulatory reform, all are needed,” he said. “Details remain thin, but the focus looks broadly right. However, delivering genuine change almost certainly also will require putting actual resources on the table.”

Here are Labour’s key business pledges.

Looking to cement its concerted efforts