SCC visit boosts Scottish business input into UK trade and investment policy

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce has welcomed a firm commitment from the UK Government to liaise directly with Scottish business to boost Scotland’s economy following the return of a delegation sent to London for talks.

Talks between an SCC-led delegation of business leaders and UK Government ministers as part of the Chambers’ annual London Business Visit secured pledges from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Scotland Office, to increase direct engagement and consultation with Scottish business representatives.

Issues at stake included the maximisation of benefits from proposed City Deals, the Chambers-led drive to increase Scottish exports in partnership with the Department for International Trade (DIT), and Scottish business’s input into Theresa May Government’s Industrial Strategy.

Speaking after round-table meetings with BEIS Under Secretary of State the Rt. Hon Lord Henley and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland Lord Duncan, Tim Allan, president of Scottish Chambers, said: “We have secured firm undertakings from ministers that the voice of Scottish business will be heard via more direct links with the DIT, and closer involvement over proposed UK Government spending on City Deals, where we urged faster progress and close attention to the variated economic challenges in different parts of Scotland.

“There was also useful discussion of how we are going to improve Scotland’s export performance, and we urged closer co-operation between the DIT and Scottish Government agencies to strengthen the focus on Scotland’s underwhelming export performance.”

Liz Cameron, Scottish Chambers chief executive, said: “The industrial strategy is a massive opportunity for Scottish Business to be more closely engaged and to lead the implementation of the strategy on the ground, ensuring it is joined up with existing Scottish Government strategy and policies and avoids fragmentation and duplication.“

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce London Business Visit aimed to offer Scottish companies unmatched access to top Westminster and City leaders.

The SCC said this year’s event is the largest ever, involving around 50 Scottish businesses.

The two-day schedule included roundtable meetings with Lord Duncan, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, the SNP MP’s Economy Group and Rt. Hon Lord Henley, the Under Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, and a group of Conservative MPs.

On B2B engagement, the SCC party has high level meetings with companies including Coca Cola, CBRE, the London Stock Exchange Group, and Royal Bank of Scotland.

The highlight of the visit is the Scottish Chambers of Commerce’s Scottish Business Reception on the Terrace of the House of Commons.

Hosted by SCC President Tim Allan, and featuring an address by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford MP, the event allows Scottish companies opportunity to meet politicians from all parties, this year including Robert Jenrick MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, to discuss issues that directly affect their bottom line.

As well as Chambers Network leaders throughout urban and rural Scotland, Companies attending this year include; David MacBrayne Group, Trump Turnberry, We are PCR, CBRE, DC Thomson, Stainton International, Heathrow Airport, BP, Kennedy Wilson Europe, ACCA, LSE, Royal Bank of Scotland, Skene Whisky, Carmelite Hotels, FG Burnett, London City Airport, SKEO Associates, PwC, Financial Markets law International.