Suggestions that the Conservative party would introduce measures to encourage competitiveness in business have been welcomed by one expert.

According to Richard Lambert, chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the proposals outlined in the party's Economic Competitiveness Policy Group report offer a good starting model for the business sector.

He states that it has often been unclear as to where Conservative party policies stand on issues such as competitiveness and regulatory frameworks and that the report helps to address this.

"Those drafting the next Tory manifesto need to pick carefully through the large basket of proposals it puts on the table to tackle these challenges, though, as some are more practical than others," he said.

He adds that attempts to reduce tax on small and medium-sized businesses as well as cutting the red tape associated with EU legislation are a positive step to take.

"Too often, while our European competitors manage to implement EU directives in a few pages, the UK gold plates them with reams of prescriptive and complex regulations and guidance," he states.

The CBI also said in a statement today that young people are impressing employers with IT skills, but lack basic abilities in English and maths.

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