Salmond faces business leaders on independence

Alex Salmond will be challenged to make the case for Scottish independence to an audience of business leaders from across Britain at the Institute of Directors (IoD) annual convention in London next month.

The First Minister has claimed that independence will allow him to boost the “overall business environment” in Scotland with a reduction in corporation tax, incentives for the renewable energy industry, and different rates of tax on air passengers.

Simon Walker, the director-general of the IoD, will question Salmond on the consequences of independence for enterprise in the UK:

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He said: “British business wants to know what Scottish independence means for them. This is a question that concerns companies from all parts of the country and I am delighted the First Minister has chosen the IoD’s annual convention as the place to put his case to them.”

David Watt, the executive director of IoD Scotland, said that the group does not take an official position on independence.

He said: “We will be asking other politicians to speak to other forums to give a balanced view so our members can make their own opinion when the vote eventually comes.

“We guarantee to make sure all our members are as best informed as they possibly can be as to what is going on by hearing views from either side.”