BUSINESS INSIGHT: We urge government to prioritise funding that supports economic growth
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With a new year upon us, the Highlands and Islands continue to balance the wider economic challenges of Scotland and the UK, with an unprecedented number of transformative opportunities for social and economic growth.
However, several weeks on from the First Minister announcing the Scottish budget, we continue to be concerned about decisions which will impact the economy and we have represented our views to ministers in our recent engagements. On behalf of our members, we urge government to prioritise funding that supports economic growth and in particular, to ensure that our enterprise agencies and local authorities have appropriate funding that drives investment, innovation and meaningful change into our unique region.
Remote, rural and coastal areas need thriving businesses to drive the economy, deliver key services and support population retention through well-paid jobs which offer opportunities for lifelong learning and development.
Scotland must also be more attractive to leadership and management talent if our companies are to grow and compete globally. Following the income tax rise for people earning management level salaries, the Scottish Government must set out how it will improve the attractiveness of working in Scotland for home-grown and international talent.
As an organisation which unites public, private and wider civic society within our membership, our holistic view of the economy and our long-established collaborative approach to finding innovative solutions, it continues to be imperative that policy and budget expenditure is co-designed with industry, and both governments need to match the rhetoric with positive action.
Grant Campbell is Prosper’s regional manager for the Highlands and Islands
