Action on regulations and non-domestic rates, as well as closer collaboration with business on government policy, are key recommendations of the New Deal for Business Group, which has submitted its report to First Minister Humza Yousaf.
The Scottish government’s New Deal for Business Group aims to deepen links with the private sector and involve businesses at an early stage of policy development.
The creation of a new independent review board to oversee regulations will be taken forward, in response to requests from business to help government work more closely with industry.
The group has also looked at improved working around sharing data, creating a well-being economy, and involving business in the development of policy. Its recommendations include:
- Setting up a new independent Regulatory Review Group (RRG) to work with industry and government on a renewed remit.
- Featuring non-domestic rates among the wider considerations of a new Tax Advisory Group.
- Ensuring the right voices are heard in engagement with business about policy.
- Working on labour market participation with a focus on supporting parents into employment and the skills businesses need for a transition to net zero.
- Gathering data on the type of support businesses are searching for, to help government better understand their needs.
Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray said: “The relationship between government and business is key to ensuring we have an economy that is fair, green and growing. The New Deal for Business Group was set up to reset that relationship with a focus on co-designing policies that will have a positive impact on the day-to-day operations of business.
“This is the start of a process to ensure we can create the conditions together to support business, which in turn will drive economic growth that feeds into strong and sustainable finances to support public services and communities, as well as a just transition to net zero.”
Co-chair of the group, Dr Poonam Malik, added: “I have been impressed by members’ desire for change and a positive mindset for trusting engagement to work towards our common goals.
“These short, medium and long-term recommendations go a long way to helping us achieve our shared ambitions, to ensure we co-design with Scottish businesses the policies which impact them.”
