Short-term politicking should not stand in way of long-term prosperity, CBI chief says

Politicians in the UK should not let short-term politics trump the opportunity of creating longer-term prosperity, the head of Britain’s largest business lobby said on Wednesday.

In a document outlining her priorities for the year ahead the Director General for the Confederation of British Industry, Carolyn Fairbairn, urged politicians to deliver a long-term prosperity agenda for the country.

Britain’s economy would start the year on a solid footing, having delivered an economic expansion of 2.8% over the previous twelve months and generated more than 400,000 jobs – the most since record began 1971, she said.

However, the fruits might be jeopardised by the cost in terms of skills imposed by Westminster’s poorly designed new apprenticeship levy and “wrong-headed visa policies”.

In Fairbairn’s opinion an acute need also existed to address the big decisions which needed to be taken on building the optimal long-term infrastructure for growth, particularly so in aviation, energy and roads.

Although research and development and science were protected in the most recent Spending Review – a welcome step in her view – Britain also needed to face up to its “chronically weak productivity performance” - 30% lower than in the US and 28% lower than in Germany.

Lastly, she committed the CBI to helping to inform the public - with evidence, clarity and a good dose of humility - of what might be at stake at the upcoming referendum on continued membership of the European Union.

“The British public deserves to hear informed arguments from both sides. Under my leadership, the CBI will do all it can to ensure this happens. We will provide clear evidence, share case studies from businesses of all sizes and sectors, host debate and discussion, evaluate reforms as they are achieved, and faithfully report the views of our members.”