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CBI 'disappointed' by ministers CBI 'disappointed' by ministers
(about 7 hours later)
Scottish government ministers have been accused of "disappointing behaviours" by the director of CBI Scotland.Scottish government ministers have been accused of "disappointing behaviours" by the director of CBI Scotland.
Iain McMillan claimed the actions of some Holyrood ministers "call into question the sincerity of their support for the economy and business".Iain McMillan claimed the actions of some Holyrood ministers "call into question the sincerity of their support for the economy and business".
Mr McMillan gave the government credit for some "policy successes" in 2009, like changes to the planning system.Mr McMillan gave the government credit for some "policy successes" in 2009, like changes to the planning system.
A Scottish government spokesman said ministers were "absolutely clear on the scale of the economic challenge".A Scottish government spokesman said ministers were "absolutely clear on the scale of the economic challenge".
In a new year message, Mr McMillan said the "disappointing behaviours" needed to be "a thing of the past" in 2010.In a new year message, Mr McMillan said the "disappointing behaviours" needed to be "a thing of the past" in 2010.
'Some successes' He reiterated his views during an interview on BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme.
He argued that the government "must do more for business and the economy if it is to have any real chance of achieving its primary goal of raising Scotland's growth rate to the UK level by 2011". Rail link
The CBI Scotland chief called on ministers to "put in place policies that promote, rather than hinder, economic growth". Mr McMillan said: "I have given them [the Scottish government] praise for levelling the business rate with England, for the development of the M74, the M80 and quite a few policies that they have got right."
He said: "There were undoubtedly some public policy successes in 2009 for which the Scottish government deserves credit from the business community. But he added: "I think there have been a lot of negatives as well, for example the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport rail link and the Scottish government's refusal to countenance nuclear energy in Scotland.
"For example, retaining business rate parity, improvements to planning, speeding up supplier invoice payments and construction of new rail and motorway infrastructure. "There's been the minister's criticism of Diageo - an international company that needs to remain competitive, that needed to take steps to do that whilst at the same time investing £100m in the future of the whisky industry in Scotland."
Mr McMillan praised the government for speeded-up paymentsMr McMillan praised the government for speeded-up payments
"However, it was a year that witnessed too many policies that will not help the economy." Mr McMillan argued that the government "must do more for business and the economy if it is to have any real chance of achieving its primary goal of raising Scotland's growth rate to the UK level by 2011".
He cited the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link (Garl) project, banning the private sector from delivering some public services and refusing to use Public Private Partnerships to fund vital infrastructure projects. The CBI Scotland chief called on ministers to "put in place policies that promote, rather than hinder, economic growth".
A Scottish government spokesman pointed to the economic recovery plan which had been put into place by ministers.A Scottish government spokesman pointed to the economic recovery plan which had been put into place by ministers.
"Key elements, as the CBI rightly acknowledge, are our ongoing measures to improve the planning and regulatory systems, ensuring they are an aid and not a barrier to economic growth," he said."Key elements, as the CBI rightly acknowledge, are our ongoing measures to improve the planning and regulatory systems, ensuring they are an aid and not a barrier to economic growth," he said.
"Our procurement reforms - the way we buy goods and services across the public sector - have saved over £300m since 2006.""Our procurement reforms - the way we buy goods and services across the public sector - have saved over £300m since 2006."
'Reckless decision''Reckless decision'
The spokesman said accelerated spending had helped to support more than 5,000 jobs in Scotland.The spokesman said accelerated spending had helped to support more than 5,000 jobs in Scotland.
But he hit out at Chancellor Alistair Darling, claiming his "refusal" to allow Scotland to bring forward further accelerated funding next year was "a reckless decision that threatens our economic recovery".But he hit out at Chancellor Alistair Darling, claiming his "refusal" to allow Scotland to bring forward further accelerated funding next year was "a reckless decision that threatens our economic recovery".
The spokesman went on: "In addition, the Treasury's unprecedented £500m reduction in our capital budget has seen the reluctant cancellation of the Garl branch line as a direct result."The spokesman went on: "In addition, the Treasury's unprecedented £500m reduction in our capital budget has seen the reluctant cancellation of the Garl branch line as a direct result."
He also insisted the government was determined to get value for money on public infrastructure projects, which was why ministers had set up the Scottish Futures Trust.He also insisted the government was determined to get value for money on public infrastructure projects, which was why ministers had set up the Scottish Futures Trust.
Labour described the CBI's message as a "damning critique".Labour described the CBI's message as a "damning critique".
Economy spokesman David Whitton said: "It is clear that businesses are delivering a vote of no confidence in the SNP.Economy spokesman David Whitton said: "It is clear that businesses are delivering a vote of no confidence in the SNP.
"The SNP government is just not doing enough to support business and create jobs.""The SNP government is just not doing enough to support business and create jobs."
For the Scottish Conservatives, Derek Brownlee said: "As Scotland struggles with Labour's recession the SNP Scottish government has to work with the UK government to help the economy recover.For the Scottish Conservatives, Derek Brownlee said: "As Scotland struggles with Labour's recession the SNP Scottish government has to work with the UK government to help the economy recover.
"In government, Alex Salmond and the SNP have shown little sign of being business friendly - they are a party which, as their recent conference showed, is openly hostile to the private sector.""In government, Alex Salmond and the SNP have shown little sign of being business friendly - they are a party which, as their recent conference showed, is openly hostile to the private sector."