UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's proposals to help lift the UK's economic growth have come under attack from business groups.
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said there was very little meat on the bones of the chancellor’s vision.
She added: "Crucially he missed out two Es when he detailed his focus on 'enterprise, education, employment and everywhere'.
"Without addressing the issues of energy and exports, our economic growth will continue to be stunted.
“While wholesale energy charges might now be starting to fall, the reality is that thousands of businesses were locked into new contracts last year at prices that will remain far higher for months to come. This will be unsustainable for many and must be addressed.
“It is also very disappointing that he did not mention exports at all. Government must help businesses to harness the opportunities provided by existing free-trade agreements, and those coming on stream.
Mechanics matter
“Vision is important, but the mechanics of delivery matter too. The chancellor should make full use of our 53-strong chamber network, which is plugged into local economies across the UK, and 79 international affiliated members to help deliver growth through exports.
“The four Es is a start. But we urge the chancellor to read the BCC’s business manifesto for realistic polices to help get back to growth.”
Mr Hunt has been under pressure recently from some in his party to cut taxes to stimulate the British economy.
But he said that a pledge to halve the rate of inflation "is the best tax cut right now".
The chancellor admitted the UK was going through "a difficult patch", but insisted the country "can get through it and we can get to the other side".
The BBC reports that, on Friday, Mr Hunt set out his plan to help lift the UK's economic growth. After a turbulent autumn, when financial markets pushed up the country's cost of borrowing, he was determined to show that the UK was responsible.
Paying our way
That meant "showing the world, showing the markets that we are a responsible nation, that we can pay our way, that we can balance our books", he said.
The chancellor added that "it is unlikely that we would have the room for any significant tax cuts" at the Budget in March.
Government borrowing - which is the difference between spending and tax income - rose to a record £27.4billion in December. It was the highest amount for that month since 1993.
Borrowing was driven by the cost of helping households and businesses with rising energy bills. Higher inflation also pushed up interest payments on debt owed by the government.
The rate of price rises - or inflation - has begun to slow, but at 10.5% remains close to a 40-year high.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to halve inflation by the end of the year.
Prices to fall
But some economists have said prices will begin to fall back naturally, without government policies, due to commodity prices and shipping costs decreasing towards the end of last year. Energy prices are also expected to ease in the second half of 2023.
The chancellor's plan to grow the UK economy drew a mixed reaction.
He said the strategy would focus on four pillars, or "four Es" - enterprise, education, employment and everywhere.
While it was not a series of measures or announcements, it would provide "the framework against which individual policies will be assessed and taken forward".
But the Institute of Directors suggested Mr Hunt add a fifth E for "empty" after not issuing concrete plans.
IoD chief economist Kitty Ussher said businesses needed "government action to counteract the negative mood", such as continuing the capital investment super-deduction and bringing in tax credits for employers who invest in skill-shortage areas.
Mr Hunt said the government planned to achieve growth in multiple sectors across the UK, including digital technology, green industries, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and creative industries.