Whatever else they have been, the years since the last Scottish Parliament elections have not been uneventful.

Whether the credit crunch, subsequent recession and reductions in public expenditure will change our economy
and society forever is debatable. But there's no doubt that the economic landscape which faces politicians and
businesses in the coming Scottish Parliament session is markedly different from the one we surveyed back in
2007.

 

1. The Right Environment
       Easing Scotland's Cash-flow Crisis
       Devolution and the Scotland Bill
       Scotland's infrastructure
       Local business taxation

2. The Right Decisions at the Right Time   
       Better regulation
       Procurement
       Business support and engagement
3. The Right People, the Right Opportunities  
       Jobs
       Skills
4. For All Our Communities
       Responding to climate change
       Towns and high streets

(Click any image to download Manifesto)

Concerns over unemployment and the need to get more jobs into the Scottish economy loom large. Questions
about sustainable business finance and cash-flow remain and cuts in public expenditure will place greater scrutiny
on what government buys and from whom.

 

Meanwhile, important debates about the shape of our enterprise network, how we ease business burdens by regulating more intelligently and the necessary infrastructure improvements have taken on a new urgency.

 

In our modern, interdependent economy, it is in both the private and public sectors' interests that we return to
growth as quickly as possible.

"When the Business Gateway contracts are renewed in 2012, they must be less target-driven and more focused on the actual needs of businesses."

 

Thankfully, Scotland's small businesses stand ready to lead this drive, by creating more jobs, doing more
business, generating more revenues and championing more change in local communities.

 

This document sets out how we feel our representatives at Holyrood can help us on this journey.