27 September 2002
The Campaign for the English Regions dismissed the CBI's criticisms of the government's plans for devolution, outlined in its September 13 response to the white paper, Your region, your choice.
CfER secretary Jane Thomas said it was wrong to suggest there were not enough talented people to stand for election to the assemblies.
'What does this say about all those currently involved in the decision-making process at a regional level, such as the boards of the regional development agencies,' she said. 'We have a wealth of talent in the regions.'
The CBI argued that elected assemblies would damage economic development, undermine the work of the RDAs and be expensive to run.
CBI deputy director general John Cridland said an extra tier of government would further complicate decision-making at regional level, which already suffered from being too complex and fragmented.
'There is little evidence to suggest elected assemblies will make a difference. The problems are managerial, not political. Assemblies would jeopardise the freedom of RDAs by subjecting them to unhelpful party political interference,' he said.
Cridland added that the devolved bodies in Scotland,Wales and London had not brought economic growth, an argument often used by ministers to justify regional assemblies.
PFsep2002
