An influential business organisation has backed UK Government calls for the independence referendum to be held sooner than planned.
CBI Scotland has published its responses to two public consultations being carried out on the vote. The organisation says it wants to see the date of the poll brought forward.
First Minister Alex Salmond has said he will hold the referendum in the autumn of 2014. On Wednesday, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, who has insisted the delay is causing uncertainty and damaging the economy, produced a timetable he claims will meet all the requirements and allow Scots to vote next September.
The CBI submission backs Downing Street call for a quicker vote. It said some members had no concerns about the timing of the referendum, but others are worried it will create uncertainty.
It added: ”The timetable should certainly provide for sufficient facts and analysis to be made available to business and the wider public and for the issues involved to be fully considered but, on balance, we believe that the referendum can and should be held sooner than currently planned.”
The SNP Government has rejected the calls for the date to be brought forward, dismissing them as a ”distraction”, but critics claim ministers are stalling to give them more time to build support for independence.
Polls suggest only just over a third of Scots would vote Yes if the referendum was held today.
Scotland Office minister David Mundell insisted there is ”no reason” Scots should have to wait until autumn 2014.
”We have produced a timetable that shows how you can give people their say on independence next September,” he said. ”But instead of working with us to put the Scottish public firmly in the referendum driving seat, the Scottish Government have resorted to insults and mistakes.
”This is a very poor show and people will be mystified.”
However, SNP Government parliamentary business manager Bruce Crawford said: ”We will keep our election promise with the people of Scotland, and the referendum shall be held in autumn 2014, as set out in the detailed timetable published last month.”
The timing of the poll is just one area of conflict between Edinburgh and London over the referendum, with other issues including the wording of the question and whether the option of more devolution should appear on the ballot paper.
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