LONDON, (Reuters) – British employers asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson to get serious about encouraging investment in the country and stopped blaming them and slapping them with higher taxes.

Rishi Sunak was urged by British Industry Confederation to refrain from increasing the tax burden on businesses when he releases a budget statement, and then a three year public spending plan.

Tony Danker (CBI Director) said Wednesday’s announcement by Sunak would mark a pivotal moment in Johnson’s administration’s efforts to get beyond the coronavirus pandemic, and rebuild a post Brexit economy.

Danker declared, “We can’t take the economic recovery as a given.” “If Britain is to emerge from a decade-plus of low growth and productivity and anaemic growth, it must get serious about the steps required to achieve that.”

Johnson pledged to end the “old failing model of low wages, high skills, and supported by uncontrolled immigrants” this month. Johnson’s comments angered many business leaders, who already knew about a plan for an increase in corporation taxes in 2023.

Johnson’s relations with business leaders are strained since his campaign for leaving the European Union was launched in 2016. He dismissed concerns from them about its impact on their economy.

Danker indicated that there was speculation that Sunak could announce new taxes for the business sector as he faces pressure from ministers to give more money for their departments.

“There’s a fundamental contradiction in the way the government wants business investment to be unlocked, while its tax policies are the exact opposite”, he stated. “You can’t force the ends but ignore the methods to turbocharge your economy.”

Danker took offense at Johnson’s promises to “level up” Britain’s poorer parts, which have so far not been detailed.

CBI boss: “Let’s not have a plan of levelling that creates more tennis courts. Let’s have one which regenerates Britain’s high streets, and industrial heartlands.”

The CBI also recommended that Sunak eliminate new taxes and extend his incentive to business investment beyond 2023. It suggested Sunak overhaul the property levy in order to increase investment in energy efficiency.