The leader of Scotland’s biggest business organisation has called for urgent action on jobs and growth. Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce, says Keir Starmer must prioritise businesses, small and large.
“Politics in the run up to the General Election provided little clarity on which promises and pledges are going to see the light of day amid the scare tactics and quick dismissals from either side.
“Yet the politics of business has never been clearer in the minds of our 12,000 members. Quite simply, without prioritising growth, we can’t create much needed jobs and stimulate our struggling economy,” she said.
The SCC has issued a 15-point action plan for government, including setting up a Joint Economic Growth Board within the first 100 days of being in office.
Dr Cameron said: “The new government needs to boost economic growth and job creation by establishing a partnership between business and government to oversee an ambitious programme of pro-enterprise and pro-growth policies.
“Not a talking shop paying lip service to employers, entrepreneurs and innovators – a partnership of equals based on trust, mutual respect and understanding. And that means listening to our concerns and those of voters who say the economy is a top 3 issue”.
The SCC’s action plan seeks to unleash business growth, accelerate investment, boost global trade and prioritise people & talent.
“Each of our 15 priorities are carefully considered proposals, built by business for business, and will have a positive, lasting impact for everyone across Scotland and the UK by helping deliver sustained growth and employment,” said Dr Cameron.
The 12,000 business members, across a network of 30 regional Chambers of Commerce, are calling for no new UK taxes or levies on business for the lifetime of the next Parliament, a cut in the VAT rate for hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors, reduced alcohol duty, an internationally competitive, tax-free shopping incentive for overseas visitors and investment in new and existing innovation districts across Scotland’s cities.
They also want to a Green Industrial Strategy to drive investment, a detailed just transition plan to net zero, a Union Connectivity Review to boost air and rail links between UK nations and regions and a commitment in the oil and gas sector to maintain investment allowances and future exploration, as well as considering ending the Windfall Tax.
The 15-point plan seeks to boost global trade by growing the number of exporting SMEs and improving access to the EU and prioritising and investing in air routes of strategic importance, including exporting and tourism routes.
Dr Cameron said: “We also need to prioritise people and talent by helping people transition from Universal Credit into work, by increasing taper relief, boosting uptake of bootcamps, and providing high quality careers advice for job seekers, returners, and career changers.
“It’s important we develop a skilled migration strategy to attract international talent to meet Scotland’s skills and working population needs and recognise the value of international students by retaining the post-study visa to ensure the UK can compete with global higher education hubs.”
