Partner Article

CBI sets out agenda for the next government

The winners of next year’s general election need to commit to balancing public finances by 2015, according to the CBI.

Regardless of which party is victorious in the polls, the business group has set out a 12-point agenda it believes will help put the economy back on track.

It wants a new government to act quickly, and establish clear timetables for implementing its proposals within 100 days of taking power.

The target year of 2015 would require a new explicit commitment by the main political parties.

The CBI’s priorities range from tackling youth unemployment to developing a stronger banking system.

Sarah Green, Regional Director, CBI North East, said: “Any new government will have a lot to do in its early days, but the economy must be central to its plans, especially given the state of the public finances and the global downturn.

“Our proposals make clear what the priorities should be to help put our economy on the road to sustainable growth.

“The major political parties really need to focus on the public finances, even though this requires tough decisions. They should make it their ambition to set out a clear, credible plan that would return the budget to balance by 2015.

“We also emphasise the need for speed. A new administration should act quickly and decisively. This will not only put the right priorities in place quickly, but also help win confidence.

“Some of the priorities may surprise people. Not everybody expects youth unemployment to be a particular priority for business, but we know from previous recessions that it can scar generations and create lasting problems for young people as they make the transition to the world of work.”

The CBI’s full proposals are available at www.cbi.org.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .