A year of more change?
Welcome to the first Bulletin policy page of 2011.
This time last year we saw 2010 as the year of change, the beginning of a new decade which brought with it a sense of optimism and a hope that we were starting the uphill climb on the road recovery.
Twelve months later, we have entered what will be another year of change as our MSPs prepare to go to the polls on May 5 to give the public the chance to determine the shape of Government in Scotland for the next four years. As they head into campaign mode, one message which we as a business organisation will be sending across is that they, and their political colleagues south of the border, must act forcefully to support business to ensure that the private sector in the UK can fulfil its role as the driver for growth during 2011.
That support will be essential if we are to continue with the climb to recovery and reinforcing that message throughout the year will be the BCC campaign (as detailed by BCC Director General David Frost on Page 7) to make 2011 a Year for Growth.
The results from the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) Economic Survey which covers the last quarter of 2010, shows that while the economy did continue to grow during that last quarter, it was at a slower pace that in the first half of the year. Drawing from responses from 5,600 businesses of all sizes, sectors and from right across the county, the results paint a mixed picture with evidence of a strong manufacturing sector against poorer performance in the service sector.
Once again however UK exports continue to grow in both manufacturing and services and in fact in the manufacturing sector, results were at their strongest level since the end of 1994. Sustaining that growth and providing the right conditions for improving the service sector will be essential over the coming year.
To support that we need encouragement for start-up companies, greater scope for increasing employment, the rise in business confidence which will create stronger companies and continuing support to help companies realise and grow their export potential.
Looking at the year ahead businesses will be looking to Government to create and provide conditions for growth, in particular a reduction in the red tape and regulation burdens which can hamper that growth. There will be roles for both the UK and Scottish governments in this. The UK Government having made election promises which have helped put it in power now needs to live up to those commitments; the Scottish Government to-be is still in the early part of its formative stage. The challenge of the MSPs and their parties will be to draw up policies which have the potential to provide the answers.
Their success in selling their policies to us will become clear on May 5 at the polls. Their success in achieving the promised results may be more difficult to assess.
Scottish Government News:
Consultations currently being carried out by the Scottish Government include:
• Securing the Benefits of Scotland’s Next Energy Revolution (Closes February 18 2011)
The Scottish Government is consulting on how the development of renewable and low carbon energy can be supported, while ensuring that Scotland and its local communities enjoy long-term returns from the assets on their doorstep.
• Building a Hydro Nation (Closes March 3 2011)
Consultation on proposals for Scottish Water to develop its commercial activities, take on new functions, how such developments might be financed and the structure of Scottish Water’s corporate governance
Full details are available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current
Recent publications from the Scottish Government include:
• Draft Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in Scottish Territorial Waters: Analysis of Consultation Responses - Report setting out the analysis of consultation responses to the Draft Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in Scottish Territorial Waters and its Strategic Environmental Assessment.
• Women in Science and Engineering Research Project [Research Publications] - The research explores the potential social and economic impacts of not retaining women in science and engineering.
Full details are available at:
www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/Recent
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