The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce today welcomed the New Deal for Business implementation plan announced by the Scottish Government. This plan aims to address the concerns that the Chamber has been voicing for a while now, particularly those related to the individual and cumulative effects of new legislation on businesses.

The plan also proposes to enhance consultation processes and introduce opportunities for earlier-stage consultations. In addition, it promises to keep Non-Domestic (business) Rates under constant review. The Scottish Chambers of Commerce represents the Chamber network on the New Deal for Business Group.

Neil Gray, the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, announced that this plan would offer “certainty and consistency” by establishing a forum to monitor the impact of regulations on industry and conducting a comprehensive review of policy development to ensure improved consultation at all stages.

Joanne Davidson, Policy Director at Edinburgh Chamber, commented: “This is a positive move that seems to address some significant concerns that we have been raising on behalf of our members for quite some time. It’s reassuring to know that these concerns have been acknowledged. However, businesses will watch with interest to see how the implementation plan works in practice.”