Scottish Chambers

We’re in New York for Tartan Week, leading a delegation of Scottish Businesses focused on building relationships that drive trade and growth. Find out more about the New York visit: scottishchambers.org.uk/press_policy/n…

In today’s Press and Journal, @CharandeepS1ngh sets out why Scotland’s new MSPs should undertake a Race Across Scotland to understand the barriers infrastructure poses to business growth. Read more below 👇

Infrastructure drives competitiveness. Scotland needs streamlined planning, stronger energy systems and reliable connections to cut delays, lower costs and unlock growth across every region. 🔗 scottishchambers.org.uk/backing-scotla…

Russell Findlay - Aspiration Alex Cole-Hamilton - Change John Swinney - Hope Malcolm Offord - Incentive Ross Greer - Focus Anas Sarwar - Partnership

Final question: in one word, what will the leaders take away as their key priority? #BIZHUSTINGS

Malcolm Offord pointed to the value of empowering Scottish exporters directly to boost their capacity abroad.

Ross Greer shared that the Scottish Greens would like to see more international Scottish Government offices across the world to help exporters.

The leaders highlight the importance of boosting Scotland’s exports and attracting more people to come live and work in Scotland. #bizhustings

Now we turn to how Scotland can turn its potential into growth.   Expect a focus on exports, energy, and innovation.   #BIZHUSTINGS

@ScotChambers 4/ Further discussion on the need to reform Scotland’s business rates system, as called for in @ScotChambers election manifesto. See more here: scottishchambers.org.uk/backing-scotla…

Alex Cole-Hamilton outlines the importance of pushing towards addressing climate change, but also ensuring that oil and gas remains a part of Scotland’s energy mix.

Anas Sarwar shared that we must look at ‘emergency support measures’ for business impacted by rising energy bills and deliver better energy security.

First Minister John Swinney noted the increased pressure facing firms regarding energy bills and calls for the UK Government to do more to help businesses. #bizhustings

Russell Findlay focused on the issue of skills, sharing funding challenges being experienced by the colleges sector.

Alex Cole-Hamilton pointed again to the urgent need for planning reform, and the importance of improving the skills pipeline.

Now hearing how each leader would fix the fundamentals of Scotland’s economy.

 Businesses continue to highlight: 
 • Rising costs 
• Skills shortages • Planning delays   #BIZHUSTINGS

Ross Greer also shared the issue of planning as an obstacle, pointing to the underfunding of local government as the root cause of blockages in the planning system.

The leaders are asked what their one policy to drive economic growth would be. On planning, Anas Sarwar highlighted delays holding back investment in Scotland and the need for branch and roots reform.