CBI chief urges UK to make tough budget choices to avoid economic stagnation.

Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry, urged the UK government to make "hard choices" ahead of the autumn Budget, warning that current policies risk trapping the economy in a stop-start cycle. Speaking at the CBI’s annual conference, she highlighted rising business energy costs and criticized the Employment Rights Bill for increasing costs and complexity, calling for reform to avoid "death by a thousand taxes." She stressed the need for policy stability to support growth, as recent data shows a slowdown in private sector activity with firms delaying spending. The remarks precede Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ fiscal statement.