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Salmond sets out new Executive priorities |
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Thursday, 24 May 2007 |
First Minister Alex Salmond yesterday set out his priorities for the first weeks of the new SNP-led Scottish Executive, starting with the anticipated slashing of tolls on the Forth Road Bridge.
Because of the minority nature of government in this session of the
Parliament, Salmond stressed that these plans were a "first draft"
rather than a "final position".
Focusing mainly on the economy and energy, Salmond outlined plans to
establish a council of economic advisers, and also to substantially cut
business rates.
He also pledged a drive to boost Scotland's supply of renewable energy,
adding that delivering a greener Scotland was not a "mainstream
commitment" for progressive politics in Scotland, and that he would
make it a "centrepeice of this administration".
Salmond said that Scotland hoped to play a greater role on the
international stage and said that the SNP, while his focus would be on
Scotland's national interest, would continue to explore the possibility
of constitional change.
"The people of Scotland elected a majority of members who stood on a
platform of further constitutional evolution - not all for independence
as we and the Greens did, but still for change nonetheless."
As a minority government, there would be less legislation, Salmond
said, and more policy initiatives. While the government would need to
fight on an issue-by-issue basis in the chamber, he said that it was
only fair that members of the opposition remained open-minded if the
government was to do so too.
"Good ideas, well researched and well argued, will be welcomed and
considered. If the challenge for this Government is to share power with
Parliament, then the challenge for the Parliament in return is for
every party and every member to remain open to persuasion."
After Salmond's speech, business organisations reacted positively.
Executive director of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Liz Cameron
said: "Alex Salmond's opening parliamentary speech as First Minister is
welcomed by Scottish Chambers of Commerce. His stated intention 'not to
impose on business', to 'address barriers to business' and his
observation that 'our job as a government is to make doing business
easier, not harder' resonates well with those working hard in
enterprise to drive forward our economy.
"His particular note of 'legislation not always being the best way to
effect change' and his desire to see 'government to become more
creative and efficient' also offer fertile ground for streamlining the
mounting burden of legislative bureaucracy faced by business."
Andy Willox, Scotland policy convener of the Federation of Small
Businesses, said: "The First Minister has wasted no time in setting out
its plans for minority government, and giving a much-needed boost to
thousands of small businesses across the country.
"For too long the Scottish economy has lagged behind the UK, so we
welcome the First Minister’s ambition in declaring that his government
will aim to match the British economy. We hope that this is just the
first in a string of announcements that will ultimately lead to more
businesses and jobs across Scotland."
On the SNP’s plans to cut business rates, Willox said: "This is great
news for thousands of small businesses across Scotland, which will now
have more money to invest in premises, training and marketing – all
essential steps to ensure stronger business growth.
"However, this won’t just help existing businesses. This is bound to
give a boost our historically anaemic business birth-rate, as a lot of
start-up business plans will suddenly look a lot more attractive
without the burden of business rates."
Business organisations also welcomed the abolition of the Forth tolls,
saying that it unfairly penalised local companies. However, Labour
spokesman for transport, infrastructure and climate change Des McNulty
expressed some concern about the plans.
"Labour fully accepts there is a strong view amongst people and
communities in Fife and Dundee that, following the abolition of tolls
on the Skye and Erskine bridges, it would be inequitable to retain
tolls on the Forth and Tay Bridges. Abolition removes this perceived
inequality.
“However it was clear from the Bridge Tolls review that removing the
tolls was likely to lead to increased congestion unless additional
measures were taken to ensure that the existing congestion problems on
the Forth are not worsened. This increased congestion would be bad for
business, damaging environmentally and inconvenience existing bridge
users through longer journey times.
"Labour will be scrutinising closely what proposals are brought forward
by the Executive to ensure that the East of Scotland keeps moving. A
good start in this regard would be for the SNP to join the other major
parties and support in particular the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link and
Trams proposals agreed in the last Parliament."
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 May 2007 )
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