CBI questions potential London mayors
Mar 26 2008
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) will today question the four main candidates for London mayor on what they plan to do to help small business.
The CBI's manifesto for business will set out seven priorities that the newly-elected mayor should do for business in the capital.
Investment in the infrastructure, an improved skills base and a positive legacy from the Olympics are some of the priorities mentioned in the report.
Director of the CBI's London region Nigel Bourne explains that London faces a lot of potential competition as a leading financial centre.
'The CBI manifesto is a direct call to all the candidates to address the priorities of the business community and deliver policies which build on our strong foundations and deliver further prosperity and productivity for the capital,' he says.
The manifesto is asking the mayoral candidates to deliver 'green policies', ensure an attractive business environment, consider the planning needs of a growing city and consult business leaders to formulate policy favourable to enterprise.
Candidates attending the hustings event include current mayor who is running on behalf of Labour Ken Livingstone, Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick, Conservative Boris Johnson, and Green Party candidate Sian Berry.
Analysis from the Financial Times has found that candidates for the position of mayor 'are failing to address some of the most important issues for the capital's business community'.