ClickAJob News

Gordon Brown has been urged by the business world to put tackling shoplifting and reducing red tape near the top of his priority list when he takes charge of the country.

The chancellor today formally becomes prime minister after ten years as head of the Treasury but business leaders hope that he will continue to hold the economy at the heart of his policies.

Director general of the Institute of Directors Miles Templeman said the incoming prime minister must start to undo the damage that has been caused in recent years by increased regulation.

He said the first five years of the Labour government were "better" in terms of tax and regulation and the last five were "a bit worse".

"So the government's in the wrong direction at the moment," he explained on BBC Radio Five Live. "I think our main message to [Gordon Brown] is he's got to start turning it back.

"I think the government is committed to cutting regulation. They haven't yet managed to do it though."

The director general of the British Chambers of Commerce highlighted business crime as an area of focus for Mr Brown during his time in office.

David Frost said it is an issue that concerns businesses as many do not feel it is taken as seriously as it should be.

"Clearly business crime is a significant issue and a hidden issue," he told the same programme.

"In the last survey we did two thirds of businesses said that they'd suffered in the last year, but interestingly only a third bothered reporting it because they didn't think the police were interested.

"So it's a big issue still out there. Retailers feel that it has not been treated seriously. People are just let off with a slap on the wrist.

"And it's not just shoplifting," he added. "But its damage to vehicles, it's burglary, damage to buildings, and of course computer related crime as well."

After taking part in his last ever prime minister's questions at noon Tony Blair will travel to Buckingham Palace to announce his resignation to the Queen.

Almost immediately afterwards, Mr Brown will be asked by the monarch at the palace to form a new government.