'Take skills crisis more seriously,' politicians urged

In a unique move, the leaders of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), and the Institute of Directors (IoD) have put away their long-held rivalries to throw down the gauntlet to Britain's three main political parties.

The groups want to see immediate action in five key areas: skills, transport, employment regulation, taxation and ebusiness.

"We're entitled to have real influence on government policies," Anthony Goldstone, president of the BCC, told the organisation's annual conference in London. "While the voice of business has been heard, it's not been heeded enough."

Top of the agenda is the deepening skills crisis, particularly in the high-tech sector. "We need to invest in the facilities and materials to create new e-learning environments," said Chris Humphries, outgoing director general of the BCC.

The BCC expects two million new jobs to be created in the UK before 2010, but despite this employment growth Humphries warned that currently one in five British adults are illiterate and almost a quarter innumerate.

Unsurprisingly, all three business leaders were keen to stress the need for lower taxation and less red tape, particularly in the burgeoning knowledge economy.

IoD chief George Cox praised Chancellor Gordon Brown's move to abolish betting tax in response to the emergence of online services, but criticised complicated legislation such as the RIP or 'Snooping' Act. "It needs quick and light touch regulation," Cox told delegates. "This area is moving at enormous speed and you can't regulate it in such a slow manner."

Traditionally unwilling the share the limelight, the CBI's charismatic leader Digby Jones looked comfortable on stage with Humphries and the quiet Cox, calling it an "historic" partnership.

But the alliance of Britain's three most active business groups may not be welcomed by political leaders, as Prime Minister Tony Blair and Home Secretary Jack Straw get set take the stage at the conference tomorrow to give their response.