CBI inconsistency

I'm sure I am not the only one to find the messages coming from the CBI somewhat perplexing. On one hand it is lobbying for the next UK government to make swingeing cuts to public spending, yet on the other it is arguing that the Scottish Government should spend money it hasn't got on the Glasgow Airport rail link. How does it square this approach?

I fully understand that their members would be fully behind the call not to raise taxes or employers' National Insurance but bearing in mind the economic footprint of the public sector in Scotland I am sure that many members, who are queuing up for tenders and procurement contracts, will be extremely nervous at the scale of cuts being suggested. The best way to raise more tax must surely be to have more people in work paying tax; therefore public sector spending is crucial.

Perhaps the CBI should be spending more time arguing for Westminster to accelerate capital or to give Holyrood at least the same borrowing powers as local government, thereby ensuring that more infrastructure projects could be progressed.

RON SIMON

Dunselma Court

Dunoon