UK POOL

London - 18 November 2019

1. Various of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson arriving on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister:

"The NHS (National Health Service) is the nation's priority, and our priority because we believe emphatically in fiscal prudence. I hope you won't mind if I also announce today that we are postponing further cuts in corporation tax. And before you storm the stage and protest. Before you storm the stage, let me remind you how this saves six billion pounds that we can put into the priorities of the British people, including the NHS. We've already cut it from 28 to 19 percent."

3. Various of UK Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn arriving on stage

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Corbyn, UK Labour Leader:

"Yes, taxation is going to change under Labour. We've made no secret of that. We've made that very, very clear that the richest 5 percent, the top 5 percent will pay more and that over a lifetime of the government we will increase corporation tax to no higher than the 2010 levels. I think our economy needs that and it is a necessary thing to do. We cannot go on being the economy that invests least and a country that becomes unequal more. We cannot go on being an economy that wastes the skill levels and opportunities of so many young people by inadequate funding of nursery education, primary education, secondary education or training, as well as the high cost of universities."

5. Various of UK Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson going on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jo Swinson, UK Liberal Democrat leader:

"Liberal Democrats are committed to helping small businesses who are the engine of our economy. That's why Liberal Democrats would scrap business rates and replace them with a commercial landowner levy. It will shift the burden from the tenant to the landlord so that we can breathe new life into our high streets. Frankly, we have seen enough promises of reviews of business rates from the Conservatives. It is time for clear action that will give proper help to our small businesses."

7. Audience applauding

8. SOUNDBITE (English) John Allan, Tesco chairman and Confederation of British Industry President:

"But currently no party has the answers. It's not as simple as 'getting Brexit done' or 'sorting Brexit in six months' or even 'stopping Brexit'. Whatever happens in this election, we'll be negotiating with the EU for years to come. Whether as a close friend or a distant neighbour. So we need to have an honest conversation."

9. Allan leaving the stage

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson addressed a conference of employers' group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) on Monday.

Johnson promised to cut a tax paid by businesses with bricks-and-mortar premises but announced a proposal to postpone a planned reduction in corporation tax, which had been due to fall from 19 percent to 17 percent next year.

He said putting the cut on hold was the fiscally responsible thing to do and would allow more investment in the National Health Service (NHS).

Corbyn meanwhile said a Labour government would increase corporation tax to no higher than the 2010 levels.

"I think our economy needs that and it is a necessary thing to do," he added.

Swinson, whose party currently holds just 20 of the 650 House of Commons seats, pledged that the Liberal Democrat "would scrap business rates and replace them with a commercial landowner levy."

She said this would help small businesses as this would shift the burden from tenants to the landowner.

Businesses, meanwhile, are wary of all sides.

John Allan, Tesco's chairman and CBI President said "no party has the answers" for Brexit, urging politicians to "have an honest conversation" as negotiations with the EU would continue for years to come.