Autumn Statement: 'Fill in potholes to spur growth', says CBI Ahead of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement next Wednesday, the Confederation of British Industry called on Mr Osborne to do more to drive growth through targeted spending and tax measures which should boost business investment. The CBI fully supports the Government's deficit reduction plan. This is critical for the UK to keep the confidence of international markets," said CBI director-general, John Cridland. However, the Government does have additional resources available - it underspent by £7.8bn last year and will receive a windfall of up to £4bn from the 4G spectrum auction next year. He suggested that £1.5bn of this money should be spent on "short-term, high-impact measures to support growth," including local government spending on road maintenance and scrapping stamp duty on AIM shares to encourage investment in medium-sized businesses. The CBI wants the Government to commit £200m for local authorities to upgrade local roads, with work commencing next year.