CBI renews plea to Scots to stay together
GEORGE Beveridge, chairman of the CBI in the North West has joined his counterparts in other regions in urging Scotland to vote ‘no’ in this week’s independence referendum.
In a joint statement led by CBI president Sir Mike Rake, the business leaders who make up the organisation’s regions and councils network e argue that the Union is the best way to grow the economy and boost jobs.
The statement says: “As businesses operating in all parts of Britain, we believe that Scotland is stronger, and England, Wales and Northern Ireland are stronger, as a result of our partnership.
“We want Scotland to stay in the United Kingdom and hope you vote to do so. We believe that the prosperity of all people in the UK would be best served by Scotland remaining part of it.
“We know the last five years have been difficult for many people – both those in work and those trying to get jobs. Businesses need to and will do more to help improve living standards. But the economic recovery is now underway and keeping the United Kingdom together is the best way to grow the economy and boost jobs. That’s because we share an internal market of 64 million people, and almost 70% of Scotland’s exports are with the rest of the UK.”
John Cridland, director general of the CBI, which represents 190,000 businesses, added: “While the referendum is a matter for Scottish voters, the message from our members, which employ half a million people in Scotland alone, is that we want Scotland to continue to play a strong role as part of this successful union.”
