Commenting on the Scottish Government’s first estimate of Scotland’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2021 Quarter 1 published today, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“These statistics indicate that the Scottish economy has contracted by 1.9% during the first quarter of this year and compared to the first quarter of 2020 has dipped significantly by 5.4%.
“Whilst these figures are concerning and disappointing, they simply confirm the damaging impact that the coronavirus pandemic and partial shutdown of the economy over this period had on many Scottish businesses.
“There are points of light in these figures, such as increases in Scotland’s construction and production sectors, however it is clear that Scotland’s hospitality sector has been hardest hit and has borne the brunt of the restrictions over the winter months which paints a worrying picture for their ability to recover without greater support.
“Businesses want to see the economy re-opened with as few restrictions as possible. If government can deliver this, businesses will be able to rebuild confidence and increase economic activity in the second quarter of this year.
“The vaccination programme will be key to securing economic growth. Increased clarity on the re-opening of our economy and the eventual removal of restrictions, combined with continued financial support for businesses from the Scottish and U.K. Governments will propel business recovery and support a return to pre-pandemic economic output sooner.”
Responding to the expected delay in Scotland’s Roadmap, as suggested today by the First Minister, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“The statement from the First Minister today, which outlined that the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland is likely to be delayed at the next review by three weeks to the 19th July, will be frustrating and painful for many Scottish businesses who were gearing up to make the most of a boom in summer trade over the coming weeks.
“A delay next week will dampen hopes for many businesses, particularly for those sectors that remain closed and may be forced to wait even longer to reopen, placing them and the jobs they support at risk.
“Scottish businesses understand the need for restrictions to protect public health and it’s clear that the vaccine programme is the silver bullet that will facilitate the reopening of our economy. Any delay must be used to expand the vaccine rollout and deliver the crucial second doses that will move us out of lockdown restrictions faster.
“After months of uncertainty, businesses have been demanding greater clarity and we welcome today’s confirmation that the long-awaited publication of the Scottish Government review of the unviable social distancing rules and more detail on plans for taking Scotland beyond the levels system, will finally be published next week.”
Responding to the June 14th UK Government Coronavirus Briefing, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Businesses who have been patiently waiting for restrictions to ease will be deeply frustrated by the Prime Minister’s announcement confirming the delay of the planned June 21st lockdown lifting in England and the subsequent prospect of further delay in Scotland.
“After an incredibly challenging 15 months, businesses were finally daring to hope that we were now on the path towards the full re-opening of our economy. The continuation of restrictions will be a significant setback.
“It’s essential, if restrictions in Scotland are extended, that the Scottish Government implement a fair balance of targeted restrictions that allows the gradual reopening of the economy to continue whilst tackling the growth of the Delta variant.
“We must also see the vaccine programme accelerated wherever possible – dedicating all available resources to this – while looking at opening up areas of Scotland with low levels of transmission and high levels of vaccination.
“If such confidence, reassurance and support is not provided by the government, then we will see more jobs and livelihoods placed under immediate threat. For businesses who have come so far over the past year, all possible action should be taken to prevent job losses and business shutdowns.”
Plans for Caithness to become the host site for a prototype generator for one of the world’s most efficient, cleanest and lowest carbon forms of energy have taken a step forward.
A bid to host the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion power plant was submitted by the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) in March.
This has now been included in a list of 15 sites for further investigation by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), who launched the open call in December 2020.
If the Caithness bid is successful, the development could create hundreds of high-quality jobs locally, drive wider economic growth and attract further investment to the region.
Fusion technology is being developed worldwide as a transformational source of low carbon energy. It seeks to replicate the energy production process of the sun by fusing hydrogen into helium, producing huge amounts of clean energy, with virtually no emissions or waste.
The development would ultimately produce electricity for the national grid and could be instrumental in achieving Scotland’s net-zero targets and a carbon neutral economy.
Ian Ross, chair of the CNSRP, said:
“This is a great opportunity for Caithness and North Sutherland. We already have significant expertise in highly regulated technically challenging developments. We also have an existing supply chain, a welcoming community and support from all CNSRP member organisations.
“The fusion prototype development would dovetail perfectly with the decommissioning of Dounreay and complement our area’s existing wind and tidal forms of renewable energy generation.
“All of this and more means Caithness is ideally placed to host this development and make sure it delivers widespread long-term economic and community benefits, as well as wider progress towards the country’s net zero targets.
“I am delighted we have made it to the next stage and look forward to working with the UKAEA on evaluating our bid.”
Responding to the First Minister’s announcement on Coronavirus restrictions, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“It is immensely welcome that Glasgow will now be able to move from Level 3 to Level 2 on Saturday, as well as 14 local authorities across Scotland which will move to Level 1. This is thanks to the tremendous efforts of both businesses and the public in suppressing the virus.
“Businesses will understand the importance of tackling the new ‘Delta’ variant, but today’s decision will be a great relief for some and disappointing for others. While some areas will be able to take advantage of further re-opening, other areas have hit another roadblock.
“Where restrictions have been extended, the Scottish Government must provide adequate and targeted financial support for businesses directly affected by today’s announcement. The testing and vaccination rollout must continue to accelerate quickly so we can collectively meet the milestone of level 0 on 28th June.
“We also need urgent clarity and a clear timeline on the reopening of offices and further relaxation of restrictions on international travel. This must go hand in hand with a comprehensive physical distancing review which facilitates businesses to expand their trading capacities.”
This month, we welcomed Caithness Mentality to our Chamber membership group.
Caithness Mentality Coaching is specifically designed to help you become mentally strong and healthy.
- Are you looking to grow in confidence or resilience?
- Are you looking to overcome anxiety, fears, stress, or negative thoughts
Many of us are just living life. We should be loving life and thriving with all that we do. Life is too short to be just surviving.
Many of us suffer from low self-esteem, stress, and burnout. Research has found strong links between serious life illnesses including cancers, and stress. We live in a society where burnout and stress are normal. They are not. Stress and burnout can cause serious problems to your health.
Find out more about coaching from Caithness Mentality here.
Amentum have recently upgraded their membership to Silver Premier Partner and we’re thrilled to have them on board.
Premier Partners are important to the work of the Chamber and we provide the opportunity to raise your business profile and widen your engagement with the community. We work closely with each Premier Partner to ensure optimum exposure and an enhanced commercial profile for your company. This demonstrates your contribution to Caithness and your association with a business organisation dedicated to working on its members’ behalf and helping to create a vibrant Caithness economy that is successful, sustainable and diverse.
Read more about Premier Partnerships on our website.
Responding to the Scottish Government’s announcement that Glasgow will remain at Level 3 until at least the 5th of June pending a review on the 2nd of June, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“There were many anxious businesses across Scotland waiting to hear the decision of the First Minister today, with Glasgow’s consumer reach extending across Scotland with thousands of day visitors and tourists. The impact of this extended closure will be even more devastating for crisis hit businesses in Glasgow, as many were looking forward to opening their doors to take advantage of the upcoming bank holiday on Monday.
“We need government at both Holyrood and Westminster to now step in to provide a level of meaningful financial support if we are to save jobs and livelihoods.
“The Scottish Government’s expanded test and protect, supported by an accelerated vaccination programme, needs to continue. One glimmer of hope is that we seem to be going in the right direction as far as the health harms are concerned but the economic harms are just as critical. We hope that the review promised next week will bring a decision to enable Glasgow to move down into Level 2, allowing businesses to plan ahead and fully welcome consumers and tourists back.”
Responding to the Scottish Government’s update on lockdown levels for East Renfrewshire, Glasgow & Moray, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Today’s announcement will bring a mixture of relief and anxiety. Whilst more businesses in Moray will now be able to open from midnight tonight and East Renfrewshire businesses will not have to close again, Glasgow businesses remain under strict trading and travel restrictions.
“The business community in Glasgow were handed a hammer blow last week and are deeply disappointed and disillusioned that more businesses could now reach crisis point as a result of these extended restrictions. The absolute priority must be to focus on managing these local outbreaks quickly to enable Scotland’s most populated city to open up, in line with the rest of the country.
“Businesses have invested heavily in COVID safe measures and equipment and want a fair opportunity to trade. They have created safe environments and need time to plan and rebuild confidence. To support restart efforts, we urge the Scottish Government to accelerate and expand the vaccination programme to as many people as possible, particularly in hotspot areas.
“The Scottish Government must ensure that adequate and targeted financial compensation is provided quickly. We also urge the UK Government to accept these outbreaks as special cases and be flexible with furlough criteria for businesses who have recruited new staff or have brought back their employees, they should be able to use the furlough scheme to protect jobs.”
On travel restrictions being imposed between Scotland and the three local authorities of Bedford, Bolton and Blackburn & Darwen in England, Liz Cameron said:
“We would continue to urge a 4-nations approach in containing outbreaks. If the evidence shows that restricting travel to local authority areas in the rest of the UK will suppress the virus spread, then we would expect to see restrictions removed as quickly as possible once the data allows.”
Responding to the confirmation of the new Scottish Government Cabinet, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Congratulations to all new and returning Cabinet Ministers. Their appointments come at a critical juncture for Scottish business and the economy. As we ease out of restrictions and towards recovery, we need entrepreneurial and dynamic leadership from our politicians and constructive collaboration with the private sector to drive business growth and job creation.
“We wish all of the cabinet members well in their new roles and look forward to working with them to restart and grow Scottish business.”