CBI Scotland has called on MSPs to test all new policies for their impact on the economy.

Ahead of the announcement tomorrow of the Scottish Government’s legislative and administrative programme, CBI Scotland’s director, Iain McMillan, has said: “As MSPs reconvene at Holyrood this week after their summer recess, their attention will turn quickly to the unveiling of the SNP administration’s programme for government. It is timely therefore to outline what we in the business community expect and require of our MSPs over the coming year.

“During the past twelve months, we have had the ‘vision’ from the new SNP Administration. Much of this has been warmly welcomed by CBI Scotland. However, the coming twelve months must be the ‘year of delivery’ and all MSPs have a role in this.

“Business endorsed the setting of measurable, time-bound growth targets. Yet if we are to see our shared agenda of economic growth become a reality, there are key issues that simply must be addressed within the legislative and governing agenda over the coming months. Important reforms and investment in transport, skills, planning and regulation must be advanced.”

CBI Scotland has called on MSPs to take action on a number of areas, including transport, where they call for the imminent unveiling of the results of the Strategic Transport Projects Review to represent a step change, adding that Scotland’s current infrastructure is clearly not fit for purpose.

CBI Scotland also called for the delivery of the new demand-led skills strategy, including measures to enhance the uptake of science and maths in schools including the new science baccalaureate, and for improvements in literacy and numeracy. The CBI added this will be crucial in up-skilling our indigenous workforce and tackling the recruitment difficulties faced by employers.

The CBI also calls for a re-balancing of public spending, with a greater proportion of taxpayers’ money used on investment that supports wealth creation. It adds that the forthcoming Budget Bill is the opportunity to begin this. They added that MSPs “should knock on the head” any Bills that will make Scotland a less attractive place to invest, citing a local income tax and corporate homicide equity fines as two examples.

McMillan added: “It is undoubtedly a challenging time for Scotland’s economy. The overriding challenge to our politicians is simply this – test all policies against a single benchmark: will it make Scotland a better place to create jobs and wealth when the economic recovery begins?”

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