CBI chief: Stop demonising banks

The president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Sir Roger Carr, has called for an end to the "demonisation" of banks, energy companies and the defence industry.

In a speech at the annual CBI conference yesterday, Carr, also chairman of energy giant Centrica - which owns British Gas - said such businesses should be valued by the country, rather than hated. "Big business is not bad business," said Carr. "We need to encourage all those in positions of authority - government, opposition, regulators and commentators - to stop the demonisation of industry: banking, energy or defence." According to a report in the FT, Carr said business was the engine of growth, and said it should be "valued, not vilified" if the country is to find its way out of th...