If he wanted a backdrop that symbolised renewal, energy, imagination and optimal public-private partnership, the Chancellor of the Exchequer couldn’t have chosen a better UK city than Dundee, or a more appropriate dialogue partner than Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce.
During his visit to the city on 22 September, The Rt. Hon Philip Hammond MP was briefed on the progress of Dundee’s waterfront development and saw for himself the outline of architect Kengo Kuma’s V&A Museum of Design, now almost fully emerged from its promontory on the Tay and a striking symbol of the city’s culturally-led regeneration.
After 20 years and around £1bn of investment, the waterfront development is physically and psychologically reconnecting this ancient trading city to its maritime past, a development echoed by DACC’s increasing forays abroad, including to the Nordic countries and as a participant on the SCC’s important trade visit to China earlier in the year. The Chamber, like many in the SCC Network, wants stronger links with the Department for International Trade to support its increasingly active international trade profile.
Mr Hammond was not in Dundee just to witness the continuing transformation of the city, but also to gauge business morale via one of the UK’s most dynamic and fast-growing Chambers, no doubt seeing their concerns as an important indicator of wider Scottish business sentiment. DACC members used this rare roundtable with the Chancellor to promote their priorities.
As a successful businessman-turned-politician Mr Hammond might have anticipated what these might be, and attendees were content that he listened carefully and engaged without recourse to generalities. They included assurances about the future of the Tay Cities City Deal (he is a strong supporter) and of course their need for reassurance on the state of the UK economy (which he gave).
Other issues included frictionless future access to the EU single market, the need for a continuing supply of migrant labour after Brexit, and the related need to improve local employability and skills.
As I underlined in my speech of welcome, the Chancellor’s visit coincided with exciting times for Dundee, and its Chamber, whose spectacular addition of 131 members over 12 months earned, “an approving smile and raise of the eyebrow” from the understated Mr Hammond.
Part of that growth can be ascribed to the fact that DACC’s claims to be able to make its members interests known where it counts. This point about the access that membership offers was reinforced by the presence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself, listening to members’ concerns and answering them in thoughtful and specific terms.
