Investment Association comments on Autumn Statement: Investment and productivity
Wednesday 23 November 2016
Chris Cummings, Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Association, comments on today’s Autumn Statement:
On investment in British infrastructure, housing and local government
“The Investment Association supports the increased focus on infrastructure investment in today’s Autumn Statement.
“To turn this policy into practical solutions requires a partnership between policymakers and the industry. That is why we are today giving our formal backing to the development of a UK municipal bond market*, which will help local authorities secure much-needed financing to invest in new infrastructure projects and meet their refinancing needs, by launching a position paper outlining our support and the benefits of municipal bonds for investors, borrowers and the wider economy
“Providing long-term capital is one of the asset management industry’s most valuable roles in society, and we already fund 60% of all new capital market fundraisings. As the Government looks to improve the UK’s infrastructure, build more housing and create jobs and economic growth through investment the industry has clearly demonstrated its willingness to make even more investments to help build the British economy.
“The Investment Association is playing a core role in these efforts, working with our membership to advance investment in areas such as infrastructure and housing associations by creating markets that are up to the required standards to be attractive for investors to participate in.”
On measures to boost economic productivity
“Today’s announcement of a range of measures on improving productivity including increased research & development investment is to be welcomed, and as long-term investors we also back the Government’s review into Patient Capital, because improving productivity can only occur when long-term investment increases. Boosting the nation’s economic productivity is crucial if we are going to make sure that we can raise people’s standards of living and allow them to save enough money for later life, and so we support the Government’s renewed focus on this area.
“The IA is currently working to deliver our Productivity Action Plan to play our part in boosting productivity for UK society, and last week we published a major new paper calling on UK listed companies to move away from quarterly reporting to focus more on longer-term strategic reporting.”
On the fact there were no major pensions/savings announcements
“The Government’s decision to retain the rise in the ISA limit to £20,000, and to refrain from further changes to the UK’s pensions tax regime today is a welcome one. A stable tax environment is vital to encourage people to save enough money to provide for their later lives, together with strong consumer support mechanisms, proportionate regulation, well-designed products and transparent charges. We look forward to working further with the Government to ensure the pensions system delivers successfully for millions of UK savers and households over the long term.”
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
John Kenchington
Director of Communications
[email protected]
M 07834 089 332
Linsey White
Head of Media Relations
[email protected]
T 020 7269 4635
M 07508 724 022
Alex Hogan
Press and Digital Media Officer
[email protected]
T 020 7269 4620
M 07508 724 066
Notes to editors:
*IA paper: Investors Encourage the Development of a UK Municipal Bond Market
About the Investment Association:
- The Investment Association is the trade body that represents UK investment managers who manage over £5.7 trillion on behalf of clients.
- Our purpose is to ensure investment managers are in the best possible position to:
- Build people’s resilience to financial adversity
- Help people achieve their financial aspirations
- Enable people to maintain a decent standard of living as they grow older
- Contribute to economic growth through the efficient allocation of capital
- The money our members manage is in a wide variety of investment vehicles including authorised investment funds, pension funds and stocks and shares ISAs.
- The UK is the second largest investment management centre in the world, after the US and manages 37% of all assets managed in Europe.
For further information, please contact:
For media, to receive the full consultation document, please contact Helen Ayres
Helen Ayres, Communications Manager: [email protected]
T +44 (0)20 7269 4620; M +44 (0)7508 724 066
IA press office: [email protected]
About the Investment Association (IA):
- The IA champions UK asset management, supporting British savers, investors and businesses. Our 250 members manage £7.7 trillion of assets and the asset management industry supports 100,000 jobs across the UK.
- Our mission is to make investment better. Better for clients, so they achieve their financial goals. Better for companies, so they get the capital they need to grow. And better for the economy, so everyone prospers.
- Our purpose is to ensure investment managers are in the best possible position to:
- Build people’s resilience to financial adversity
- Help people achieve their financial aspirations
- Enable people to maintain a decent standard of living as they grow older
- Contribute to economic growth through the efficient allocation of capital.
- The money our members manage is in a wide variety of investment vehicles including authorised investment funds, pension funds and stocks and shares ISAs.
- The UK is the second largest investment management centre in the world, after the US and manages 35% of all assets managed in Europe.
