Dr Poonam Malik

Involving businesses at an early stage of policy development will be one of the key aims of the group established by the Scottish Government to deepen links with the private sector.

Meeting for the first time tomorrow, it will focus on four key areas — economic conditions and performance, ensuring the best environment to do business, and a transition to a wellbeing economy.

Aims of the group include:

• Agreeing ways to involve business at the earliest stages of policy development, to ensure it is effective and proportionate
• Improving the development and implementation of regulation — such as public health restrictions on advertising and promotions — and properly assessing its impact on particular sectors
• Establishing a consultative sub-group to advise on further enhancements to the Non-Domestic Rates system, following the final implementation of the independent Barclay Review
• Demonstrating how business contributes to a wellbeing economy — for example supporting parents into jobs — and working in partnership with employers to maximise this
• Collating and sharing data and evidence across sectors to dictate the response to emerging opportunities and changes in the business climate

Mr Gray said: “I look forward to working with Dr Malik and other members of the New Deal Group to deepen our relationship with business, not only by engaging and communicating, but actively working together to achieve common goals and align Scottish Government policy with business.

”In the Scottish Government’s Policy Prospectus, the First Minister pledged to help business and trade to thrive and maximise the opportunity of the green economy, with fairness at its heart.

“Only by working closely with business can we hope to achieve an economy which prospers while caring for people and planet. This is our vision for a wellbeing economy.”

Dr Malik added: “I look forward to working as part of the New Deal for Business Group to build constructive relationships and push forward a successful and enabling wellbeing economy for Scotland — something I’m passionate about.

“The establishment of this Group is timely, given external turbulences and big economic challenges, but I believe we can work through these together to make the most of the opportunities of a Just Transition.

“My experience has shown me that improved collaboration and meaningful engagement can bring about positive change in growing economies and support businesses with purpose to have a positive impact on communities.

“We will take a refreshed approach to our common vision and shared economic goals to deliver a healthy and happy future with the equitable and fair society that we all aspire to.”