First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outlined her Programme for Government to Holyrood yesterday, containing her legislative programme for the parliamentary year ahead.
She announced eighteen bills set to be introduced between now and June next year, including legislation on Housing, Education Reform, Circular Economy and Bankruptcy. Among these proposed new laws is an Independence Referendum Bill, currently subject to the outcome of deliberations by the Supreme Court.
In her foreword to the Programme for Government, the First Minister referenced “a backdrop of the most severe economic upheaval in a generation, which is already impacting people, businesses, public services and the third sector across Scotland”.
In statement to the Scottish Parliament, Nicola Sturgeon placed great emphasis on the delivery of her government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation and achieving net zero by 2045, while securing a just transition.
Ahead of the publication, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce had set out six key priorities which they want to see delivered by the Scottish Government:
- Urgent action to reduce the burden of non-domestic rates for businesses, as costs spiral due to historically high levels of inflation.
- Increased the pace and scale of investment in energy transition, to secure Aberdeen’s place as the Net Zero Capital of Europe, providing cleaner, cheaper energy sooner for businesses and households.
- Award Green Freeport status to the North-east of Scotland, delivering 32,000 high-quality jobs and an £8.5 billion GVA boost.
- Investment in North-east infrastructure, including plans taken forward to reinstate rail to Peterhead and Fraserburgh, improved journey times to the central belt and route development funding for better direct air links from Aberdeen.
- Capital support for Aberdeen’s city centre and beachfront redevelopment plans.
- Delivering on the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, with a priority upon attracting the right people and skills that Scotland’s economy needs to flourish.
Responding to the announcement, Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “While there are some elements to welcome, the Scottish Government’s programme for the year ahead will leave many businesses across the North-east sorely disappointed.
“With the pressures of post-covid recovery, spiralling costs and the huge challenge of energy transition that this region faces, we were hopeful of a great deal more ambition from the First Minister today if we are to give our region the best chance of success.
“The commitment to delivering on the National Strategy for Economic Transformation is a mission which cannot wait. As the Finance Secretary confirmed to our members in recent weeks, Aberdeen must be at the vanguard of that delivery.
“As the bare minimum, that must mean Green Freeport status is awarded to the North-east, CCUS progressed at pace and far greater investment to unlock energy transition than we have seen to date. That only £50million of the half billion pound Just Transition Fund is allocated for spend over the next four years gives us real cause for concern.
“While the ambition to grow Scotland’s burgeoning hydrogen industry is very welcome, the Chamber is clear that any Scottish hub for the manufacture, production and export of hydrogen should be focused on the North-east. Likewise, with the expansion of the offshore wind supply chain. We want to see the Scottish Government living up to its commitment to transforming our region into the Net Zero Capital of Europe — and acting with urgency.
“A chronic lack of labour and skills has been a common complaint from businesses for several years now, and we hope that a bespoke Talent Attraction and Migration service can help to address this.
“However, there are some fundamental gaps in the prospectus. The Scottish Government has the power to reduce the burden of rates for struggling businesses, but has made an active choice not to. That is something we will continue to press for.
“Furthermore, there is little detail in terms of building for the future through infrastructure investment in the North-east and we hope to see that addressed when John Swinney brings forward his draft budget in the coming months.”