Business groups unite with open letter to party leaders

Prosper has joined other leading organisations to call on Scotland’s politicians to put economic growth at the heart of their elections campaigns.
An open letter highlighted by The Times calls on whoever forms the next Scottish government to make the economic health of the nation a priority.
The letter comes before the Scottish Business Hustings, which is being held in Edinburgh on Thursday and which will feature all of the main party leaders.

AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR PARTY LEADERS

Voters will soon choose a new Scottish government. We are asking the country’s political leaders to listen to businesses of all sizes about the state of our economy.
Scotland’s GDP has grown at roughly 60 per cent of the UK average over the last decade. Business confidence is low and increasing costs and regulatory barriers are impacting growth plans. Growing the economy is the only way to raise living standards.
Our cumbersome planning regime is a brake on investment. A government of delivery should create a system that delivers decisions at pace.
We need to accelerate infrastructure upgrades; mass transit systems for our major cities are vital and we must design a credible plan to build 25,000 new homes a year.
A skills system aligned to economic need is crucial, alongside sustainable funding for universities and colleges, and financial incentives for businesses to take on apprentices.
We must avoid policy divergence and regulation for its own sake and ensure the tax and regulatory framework doesn’t shackle entrepreneurs, while modernising business rates.
The party leaders will gather at our Scottish Business Hustings on April 2. If the next government focuses on these core issues, then living standards can be raised for all.

Sara Thiam – Prosper
Catherine McWilliam – Institute of Directors
Colin Borland, Federation of Small Businesses
Michelle Ferguson – CBI
Charandeep Singh – Scottish Chambers of Commerce