CBI chief hits out over lack of vision

Sir Richard Lambert, who stands down as director general of the CBI on Friday, said business supported the "ruthless" approach to spending cuts.

But in his last major speech, Sir Richard said the Government had not been so consistent and focused on its plans for economic growth.

"It's failed to articulate in big picture terms its vision of what the UK economy might become under its stewardship.

"And it's taken a series of policy initiatives for political reasons, apparently careless of the damage they might do to business and to job creation."

Sir Richard said ministers were yet to set out a vision of what a successful growing economy would look like.

"The growth White Paper that was expected last autumn never materialised, and the impression was given that there simply weren't enough good ideas around to justify such a publication.

"Rather than a big picture of the kind of economic eco-system the Government wants to champion, we are left with a few rather vague ideas about the scope supporting a number of predictable sectors, and the promise that more ideas will be forthcoming at the time of the spring budget."

Sir Richard has been in the post for four-and-a-half years.