The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Call to unite behind leapfrog strategy
The CBI has called for a leapfrog strategy to put the UK at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution.
The lobbyist group said Britain could not afford to be distracted by Brexit from its main economic goals for an extended period of time.
Instead, it said the business community had to chase the common goal of putting the UK in the front row of a new digitally enabled global economy.
“As uncertainty continues to bite on the UK economy, there has never been a more important time for the UK to unite behind a ‘leapfrog’ industrial strategy,” Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general, said.
“The aim is to enable British firms to compete and win in the new technology age. It is also urgent.
“Change is coming at lightning speed and the world won’t wait for Britain.”
The group said it wished to see the creation of a new independent industrial strategy body and the appointment of regional commissioners to push forward on delivery.
“What’s at stake is the UK’s future in a global economy redefined by artificial intelligence and automation,” Ms Fairbairn said.
“Brexit must not be allowed to crowd this out. Firms agree on what matters most: transforming the UK’s skills base, modernising its physical and digital infrastructure and accelerating innovation.
“But they also agree that catching up is not enough.
“A leapfrog industrial strategy is within reach but not easy and will require a partnership of the century between government and business.
“Nobody wants to have this conversation again in four years’ time, and jobs and opportunity won’t wait around.
“We look forward to the publication of the Government’s strategy and to working with them and across all parties to build an industrial strategy that can stand the test of time.”