Firms want uncertainty to end

BUSINESS leaders have asked SNP and Tory ministers to ‘break the cycle of uncertainty’ on the constitution.

The Confederation of British Industry, which represents many of the UK’s biggest employers, urged both governments to focus on growing the economy.

Boris Johnson’s thumping majority has provided him with the opportunity to get his Brexit deal signed off by MPs and leave the EU at the end of next month.

But Nicola Sturgeon has stepped up her push for an independence referendum next year after the SNP won 48 of Scotland’s 59 seats in last week’s General Election.

Business chiefs fear that will add more uncertainty, which could cause the Scottish economy to lag behind. A CBI spokesman said: ‘With the election out of the way, businesses across all UK nations and regions want politicians to focus on rebuilding confidence in our economy and breaking the cycle of uncertainty – including Brexit and constitutional questions.

‘To get the Scottish economy firing again means firms working with both the Scottish and UK governments on pro-enterprise policies such as immigration, infrastructure, innovation and skills to help relaunch Scotland and UK on the world stage.’

Murdo Fraser, finance spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: ‘The CBI is absolutely right. There is a real opportunity after this election to re-set, refocus and get the country moving forward. But to do that, the SNP needs to dump its obsession with taking us back to another divisive referendum.

‘Under the SNP, there is now a very real risk that Scotland may end up in the desperate position as the only part of the UK still bogged down by constitutional uncertainty and division. Investment that could have come here will flood elsewhere.’

A Fraser of Allander Institute report published yesterday said hopes of a swift resolution to uncertainty are likely to be dashed and added the economy remains ‘fragile’. It also said the case for independence after Brexit will be more ‘radical’ than in 2014.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We are continuing to do all we can to establish the right environment for business to grow, create jobs and invest.’

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