UK government hosts meeting with business leaders to discuss growth

UK Government Meets Business Leaders to Discuss Plans for Economic Growth

Key Discussions and Events Surrounding Economic Growth Initiatives

Finance Minister John Healey's Engagements

LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - British finance minister John Healey will meet the bosses of several major companies on Monday to discuss the government's plans to generate economic growth, Downing Street said.

Reception with Major Company Executives

• Healey will host a reception with the chief executives of companies including banks HSBC and Standard Chartered, oil majors BP and Shell, and telecom firms BT and Vodafone.

Prime Minister's Role and Devolution Plans

Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Schedule

• Prime Minister Andy Burnham had been due to host the event, but cancelled engagements on Monday and Tuesday after the death of his father.

Government's Devolution and Innovation Strategy

Infrastructure and Culture Shift

• Burnham's Downing Street office earlier said that he had planned to tell the businesses that the government's plans for devolution could help deliver much-needed infrastructure and he wanted to support a culture shift to back innovation.

Energy Sector and Policy Decisions

Meetings with Energy Company Leaders

• The meeting with the bosses of Britain's biggest energy companies follows a report Burnham is set to delay a decision on whether to bring the Shell-backed Jackdaw gas field online until after a parliamentary by-election next month.

Entrepreneurial and Economic Vision

Roundtable with Entrepreneurs

• Ahead of the reception, Healey will also hold a roundtable with British entrepreneurs from the fields of fintech, AI, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

Healey's Economic Vision Speech

• Last week Healey used his first major speech since taking office to set out a brighter vision for the economy before an annual budget where he faces tough tax and spending choices.

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Joe Bavier and Toby Chopra)