All parties should be standing up for the interests of businesses during the election campaign, Sir Digby Jones has said.

The CBI director general said the needs of private sector firms should be "at the heart of the 2005 general election".

Publishing his organisation's policy priorities on Monday, Jones called for action to help Britain meet the challenges of globalisation.

He said politicians should look beyond the immediate election cycle and provide the sustained, long-term investment the economy needs.

The CBI's priorities include spending at least £300bn of public and private investment in transport over the next decade.

And 2.5 per cent of GDP should be spent on research and development by 2014.

The organisation also called for investment in improving the "flawed basic skills" of 15 million adults.

"Business is the only wealth creator in our society. UK jobs depend on business succeeding in the UK. UK public services depend on the tax paid by UK business," said Sir Digby.

"The government of the day must provide the support and conditions firms need to succeed.

"The business vote is up for grabs and deserves to be fought for.  Each political party should pursue a pro-growth, pro-jobs, pro-business agenda."

According to the CBI, the next decade will see the competitive threat from emerging markets "transform radically the way business is done".

"Globalisation was made for Britain and is here to stay," said Sir Digby.

"It presents both challenges and opportunities to every economy on earth. 

"British business must be on the top of its game to ensure we rise to these challenges and harness the full potential of globalisation."

He added: "The next government must remove barriers to economic success, not create new ones. 

"Wealth creation and entrepreneurships has to be encouraged."