Business leaders have called on the government to test all new policies for their impact on the economy, and to fund new infrastructure projects by cutting some ties between Scottish Water and the public purse.

CBI Scotland announced its priorities ahead of the Scottish Government's announcement, expected tomorrow, of its new legislative and administrative programme for the coming year.

Speaking ahead of the First Minister's statement at Holyrood, CBI Scotland's Director, Iain McMillan, said:

"The past twelve months have been tough for business and for the economy. As we face the coming year, our political leaders need to channel their collective energies into aiding the recovery and ensuring the delivery of policies that help.

-- Advertisement --

"The overriding challenge to our politicians is straightforward - test all policies against a single benchmark: will it make Scotland a better place to create jobs and wealth as the economic recovery takes hold?"

CBI Scotland called for the following:

• The scrapping of the current Scottish Government Bill which seeks to increase the business rates paid by firms with empty commercial premises by £36m over the next two years

• More public services to be contracted out to the private and third sectors, giving independent providers a right to bid

• Free up additional monies for GDP-enhancing infrastructure projects by mutualising Scottish Water or turning it into a public interest company, thus making it less reliant on the public purse

• Compulsory Business & Regulatory Impact Assessments for any future proposals to introduce new or additional business taxes

(NE)