The Scottish government’s New Deal for Business Group, which aims to deepen links with the private sector and involve businesses at an early stage of policy development, is due to meet for the first time today (17 May).
The New Deal for Business Group will include business leaders, along with representatives from organisations including the Scottish Retail Consortium, Scottish Tourism Alliance and Fraser of Allander Institute.
Dr Poonam Malik, Head of Investments at the University of Strathclyde, will co-chair the group alongside Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray.
The group will focus on four key areas – economic conditions and performance; ensuring the best environment to do business; and a transition to a wellbeing economy.
The aims of the group include:
- agreeing ways to involve business at the earliest stages of policy development, to ensure it is effective and proportionate.
- improving the development and implementation of regulation – such as public health restrictions on advertising and promotions – and properly assessing its impact on particular sectors.
- establishing a consultative sub-group to advise on further enhancements to the Non-Domestic Rates system, following the final implementation of the independent Barclay Review.
- demonstrating how business contributes to a wellbeing economy – for example supporting parents into jobs – and working in partnership with employers to maximise this.
- collating and sharing data and evidence across sectors to dictate the response to emerging opportunities and changes in the business climate.
Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray said: “In the Scottish government’s Policy Prospectus, the First Minister pledged to help business and trade to thrive and maximise the opportunity of the green economy, with fairness at its heart.
“Only by working closely with business can we hope to achieve an economy which prospers while caring for people and planet. This is our vision for a wellbeing economy.”
Dr Poonam Malik added: “The establishment of this group is timely, given external turbulences and big economic challenges, but I believe we can work through these together to make the most of the opportunities of a just transition.
“My experience has shown me that improved collaboration and meaningful engagement can bring about positive change in growing economies and support businesses with a purpose to have a positive impact on communities. We will take a refreshed approach to our common vision and shared economic goals to deliver a healthy and happy future with the equitable and fair society that we all aspire to.”
