Plea for new First Minister to put 'small businesses at the centre of Scottish Government thinking'
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A CALL has been made for the new First Minister to put "small businesses and the communities they sustain at the centre of Scottish Government thinking."
It was made by David Richardson, the Highlands and Islands Development Manager of the Federation of Small Businesses. A similar plea was made by the chief executive of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce, Trudy Morris, who said "creating a business environment in Scotland which is growth-led and competitive will be a key priority for the business community."
They were speaking following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday. Mr Richardson said: "The First Minister’s resignation came as a great shock to us all, but politics is a famously unsentimental business and attention has swiftly moved on to her successor and the burgeoning in-tray that awaits.
"For our part, we very much look forward to maintaining the constructive relationship as a critical friend that we developed with Ms Sturgeon, and we’ll be urging the new First Minister to place small businesses and the communities that they sustain at the centre of Scottish Government thinking.
"One urgent priority is for the First Minister to review the new regulations that the Scottish Government is imposing on businesses – the Deposit & Return Scheme, Short-term Lets Licensing, Local Visitor Levies and the proposed Alcohol Advertising Restrictions. Are they the right measures for the time we are in, and what impact will their introduction really have on the environment, small businesses, local economies and the general public?” he asked.
Ms Morris said: "Nicola Sturgeon's sudden announcement that she will step down as First Minister has come as a surprise today and is sure to send ripples through Scottish politics.
From a business perspective, regardless of political alignment, it is widely acknowledged that as a committed and dedicated First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has continued to highlight Scottish business opportunities on the global and international stage to boost our exports and promote investment."
She added: "As we look forward to whoever will become the next First Minister, creating a business environment in Scotland which is growth-led and competitive will be a key priority for the business community. As a chamber we will continue to lobby government on issues affecting rural communities for a fairer, resilient, and more balanced and sustainable economy for all."
