CBI calls for productivity taskforce

The director general of CBI last night challenged the Scottish Government to make the country a more attractive place to do business at the CBI Scotland annual dinner.

Speaking before an audience of Scotland’s most senior business leaders in Glasgow, Carolyn Fairbairn praised the achievements of Scottish firms and urged politicians to “finally retire the rhetoric of small business good, big business bad”.

The business lobby group recently set out its vision for adding up to £25 billion to the Scottish economy over the next decade, something Ms Fairbairn said would take a “consistent, coordinated and collaborative” effort.

In her speech she applauded some of the measures included in the government’s plans announced this week.

She said: “On Tuesday, the First Minister presented her Programme for Government.

“On education the Scottish Government announced greater freedoms for schools, something we called for in our report.

“But we also need to make sure the apprenticeship levy is implemented well and is a scheme that delivers what business really needs.

“On business rates, the Scottish Government announced they would put into practice the recommendations of the Barclay Review.

“That’s something we’ve called for but can it happen yesterday please?

“And – a particularly big hurrah and fanfare for this – the Scottish Government announced a 70 per cent increase in investment for business R&D. Though we do still want to see a target for public and private R&D spend.

Ms Fairbairn also suggested the Scottish Government set up a businessled productivity taskforce.

She added: “Most people don’t care about productivity – it’s not a great word.

“But they do care about what it does – raise wages and living standards – so it’s crucial that action is taken and urgently.

“These recommendations aren’t a wish list from business but a vital form of contract between Scottish Government and Scottish business.”

Carolyn Fairbairn is the director general of the business organisation.