News

Harvey Ingram hosts briefing from Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Release date: 1/07/2008

Harvey Ingram hosted an exclusive briefing on the economy from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP.

Her presentation, made to key regional business leaders and the firm's senior partners, hinged on the impact of record high oil prices and rising food costs on inflation and the slowing in the global economy.

Among those participating in the debate were Next plc chief executive Simon Wolfson, Samworth Brothers' managing director Mark Samworth, Shahid Sheikh of Clifton Packaging Ltd and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce managing director Martin Traynor.

Delegates discussed concern at continued uncertainty surrounding the so-called credit crunch, challenging interest rate decisions during the year ahead and industry's views on efforts to stabilise and enhance the UK economy.

Following the one-hour meeting, Harvey Ingram Senior Partner Stephen Woolfe said: "We were delighted to be able to host this event. Ms Cooper clearly went to a lot of trouble to fit it in and it was an extremely useful opportunity for all concerned.

"These are challenging times and there was frank and forthright debate on all sides. I believe we were all able to take something from it. Delegates were able to voice their concerns, but were also able to get a direct insight into how the Government proposed to stabilise and enhance the UK economy."

The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP is currently number two in the Treasury following her appointment in January, but has already held a number of high-profile Ministerial posts, including Cabinet Minister for Housing. Ms Cooper was previously an economics columnist and leader writer for the Independent, worked as policy adviser to Labour's Treasury Team between 1990 to 1994, and as policy adviser to Bill Clinton's successful Presidential Campaign in 1992.