Labour is still industry-friendly and seeks "a grown-up relationship between government and business", a senior government minister has said.

In a bid to reinforce Downing Street' s pro-business credentials, Patricia Hewitt told business leaders on Monday that the tax rises in last week's budget were of national importance.

And the trade and industry secretary hinted that more efforts would be made to cut red tape and the burden of regulation on business.

In latest stage of the government's post-Budget charm offensive, Hewitt sought to soothe British Chamber of Commerce conference anger at a rise in employers' national insurance contributions.

"We want a grown-up relationship between government and business, a relationship based on fairness, not favours," she told delegates.

"We want a partnership. Where we try and provide the best environment for business to flourish - and you go on becoming even more efficient, more innovative and more successful. Because that's the only way that we can all enjoy higher standards of living."

The minister defended the government's economic record and claimed the chancellor's biggest task was to ensure a stable economy.

Hewitt tackled the tax rises head on, repeating the government's line that business benefited from the NHS as well as the public.

"I know that the government's decision on employers' national insurance contributions came as an unwelcome surprise to some. But I think almost everyone in Britain agrees that as a country we're need to put more investment - and reform - into health care," she said.

"Of course it's going to mean a rise in wage costs. But you know how much the whole business loses out if someone goes ill and has to wait for the right treatment. And I don't want to see more firms feeling that in order to attract staff, they have to pay for private medical insurance."

There was also a pledge to cut red tape but business leaders should not expect a deluge of de-regulation, Hewitt warned.

"It's easy to get headlines by demanding a bonfire of regulation. But we all know that we need regulations too. Dealing with rogue traders. Stopping dangerous products. Protecting health and safety and setting fair standards for employees. Giving small businesses a chance against the big monopolist," she said.

"Regulations that are fair to consumers and employees, but also stop the good business being undercut by the bad - and prevent the actions of a few damaging the reputations of business as a whole."