Rennie outlines vision for Scottish economy, Brexit and skills

Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Willie Rennie has today used a speech to the Scottish Council for Development and Industry to set out his vision for the Scottish economy.

On his vision for a strong economy in a fair society, he said:

“I am afraid some in the Scottish political scene believe that profit is unhealthy, that businesspeople are greedy, that they exist only to exploit.

“So many businesspeople care for their workers, have a virtuous connection with their customers and contribute to the wellbeing of the wider community.

“I believe in a strong economy in a fair society. There must be a fair set of rules in which business can operate but also an appreciation of the work of those businesses. We should provide incentives to encourage government and public priorities as much as utilising legislation to place burdens on them.  

“We need business and the economy to be sustainable on climate and biodiversity. But let’s celebrate business and enterprise. It can be a force for good.”  

On Brexit he said:

“We need pragmatism to remove barriers and align where it is of mutual benefit.

“Let me give you some examples where this could be done.

“Erasmus Plus. We could adopt the Welsh Taith scheme now.  If Scotland had followed Wales there could have been thousands of opportunities for students right now.  

“We should be an associate member of Horizon university research funding scheme.

“We could have mutual recognition on trades and professions to allow people to work across the UK and EU.  

“Mutual recognition between UK Reach on chemicals and EU reach.

“We could agree a bespoke veterinary agreement to reduce SPS checks.

“Secure the mutual recognition of Professional Qualifications.

“We need advanced linkage between the UK and EU ETS schemes.

“And I hope the EU will remove the block of the UK application to the Lugano Convention which provides for the recognition and enforcement of a wide range of civil and commercial judgments between the EU and EFTA states.

“This approach would be pragmatic and sensible and is a positive solution that my party is proposing.

“With a closer relationship comes the easing of the tension in Northern Ireland.

“It is in the interests of both the EU and the UK to be close.”

On skills he said:

“Our skills agenda is mired in dither and delay.  We’ve been waiting five years for this skills landscape reform and the minister only acted after he was criticised by Audit Scotland for the lack of leadership. And we are still only at the consultation phase.  

“For colleges the coherence and sustainability review was published in June last year but the college sector will need to wait until Summer 2023 to get the statement of intent from Government.  That’s two years in the middle of a crisis in the sector.

“We need a greater focus, parity of esteem and investment in colleges, skills and vocational education.”