SRC welcomes new Deputy First Minister

Commenting on the appointment of Kate Forbes MSP as Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, David Lonsdale, Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said:

The Scottish Retail Consortium congratulates Kate Forbes on becoming Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for the Economy. She worked closely with Scotland’s retailers in her previous Ministerial roles, particularly over the Non-Domestic Rates Bill where she rolled up her sleeves to retain the uniform business rate, and during the Covid pandemic where she moved swiftly to implement measures on business support.

Ms Forbes takes office at a critical juncture for the economy after four years of fallout from the pandemic and costs crunch. We look forward to working constructively with her and her fellow Ministers to ensure the economy is the priority of priorities and hopefully deliver a refreshed plan for economic growth. After all, an expanding economy is good for living standards and job prospects as well as government revenues.

Note: SRC set out its early recommendations for the incoming First Minister and Ministerial team in a column earlier this week.