The Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) network has set out three key business priorities ahead of next month’s general election.
Yesterday the organisation said it would focus on Brexit, taxation and the role of the UK Government in Scotland during the five week run up to polling day.
SCC chief executive Liz Cameron said: “Three major elections in three years, coupled with two game-changing referendums is not exactly the kind of stability that Scotland’s businesses had been hoping for, but this latest election provides a vital opportunity to focus the attention of politicians on the issues that really matter.”
Ms Cameron said Scottish firms wanted the next government to deliver an early deal on the rights of EU citizens working in Scotland and for UK workers based in Europe. They are also, she said, looking for progress on tariff free access to the EU single market, with minimum regulatory barriers.
“We also believe that the particular interests of the Scottish economy need to be represented during the Brexit negotiations and we want to see the next UK Government provide a defined role for Scotland and our businesses in the negotiating process,” she added.
The organisation is calling for tax cuts to ease the cost burden on businesses and provide a boost to consumer demand.
It wants to see the Scotland Office “opened up into an accessible route to accessing the range of services available from the UK Government” It is also calling for better direct support from the Department for International Trade and “full integration and co-operation” between the Scottish and UK Governments in developing a new UK-wide industrial strategy.
