Politicians just ‘fiddling’ while firms get on with it

Politicians have been accused of “fiddling” over major decisions on education and the constitution while businesses are left to get on with the job.

Industry body Scottish Engineering said questions remain unanswered on energy policy in an independent Scotland.

Employers are also said to be concerned about the implications of new school exams being established as part of the new Curriculum for Excellence.

The comments were made in the latest edition of Scottish Engineering Quarterly Review, which highlighted optimism for growth in the sector with improvements across business and staffing levels.

The first two quarters of the year showed “healthy growth” after one lean quarter at the end of last year, according to a survey.

Peter Hughes, chief executive of Scottish Engineering, said: “We have seen how the engineering manufacturing sector has once again come up with the goods. Orders and output are a joy to behold.

“It is reassuring to know that whilst our politicians fiddle, our engineering manufacturing sector is getting on with the job of winning business across world markets and in so doing is making a great contribution to our nation’s well-being.”

While staffing levels within the industry were described as high, many companies report skills shortages, particularly for welders, according to the review.

The amount of overtime has also gone up compared to previous quarters. Capital and training investment is mostly up or around similar levels to the previous quarter while “optimism” is mostly positive, the survey showed.

Mr Hughes, in a foreword to the publication, said the industry improvements come despite continued uncertainty from politicians on the constitution.”