More measures to help firms urged

Business leaders pressed the Government to continue to take measures to help firms recover from the recession as well as putting the economy on a path to sustainable economic growth.

The CBI and the British Chambers of Commerce both published reports setting out the business agenda in the coming months, ranging from tackling youth unemployment to improving transport infrastructure.
The CBI said that whichever party wins the General Election, action will be needed quickly to boost the economy.
The business group put forward a 12-point agenda it said should be implemented within the first 100 days of the next government taking office.
The measures included developing a strong banking system, working towards a low carbon economy and addressing public sector pensions.
John Cridland, deputy director general of the CBI, said: "Any new government will have a lot to do in its early days, but the economy must be central to its plans, especially given the state of the public finances and the global downturn.
"Our proposals make clear what the priorities should be to help put our economy on the road to sustainable growth.
"The major political parties really need to focus on the public finances, even though this requires tough decisions. They should make it their ambition to set out a clear, credible plan that would return the budget to balance by 2015.
He added: "We also emphasise the need for speed. A new administration should act quickly and decisively. This will not only put the right priorities in place quickly, but also help win confidence.