Austerity is damaging to business and Scotland desperately needs social investment rather than further cuts, according to Business for Scotland.

Launching a commentary on austerity written by members of the pro-Yes group, Tony Banks, its chairman, said: "Our society has suffered badly from the austerity cuts of the UK Government and our business prospects have suffered from them as well. We need a change in direction, we need to see social investment, and there is no sign whatsoever that any of the UK parties want to make that change.

"Scotland's businesses need an end to austerity and a rebirth of social investment. We need dignity restored to our society and no-one in government in London is going to do that. We need independence and the chance to build a better country."