Policy Update

Policy update from the Edinburgh Chamber

The summer period has proven to be no less busy on the policy front at the Chamber, and whilst immediate Covid related issues are thankfully gradually abating (with some notable exceptions…), the number of issues we are engaged in on our members’ behalf only continues to grow.

As we mentioned in the last issue, our key focus in recent months has been on continuing our engagement on the Prospectus for Growth we published at the start of July. This engagement has seen us meet with a number of key policy makers at both a local and national level, including Ivan McKee MSP, Ben Macpherson MSP, Gordon MacDonald MSP, Daniel Johnston MSP and Foysol Choudhury MSP. Further conversations are planned with Kate Forbes MSP and the senior leadership team of the City of Edinburgh Council including Cllr Adam McVey. We are focused on continuing this engagement to ensure that the Prospectus doesn’t simply become another well-presented document which sits on a shelf, but one which effectively contributes to the city’s longer term recovery and growth. We hope we can count on your continued involvement, support and engagement as we continue this work.

Away from Covid recovery, other areas we have been involved in on your behalf include:

Feeding member views into a number of consultations held by both local and national governments including the City of Edinburgh Council consultation on their 2030 Climate Strategy, and the Scottish

Government consultation on New Year’s

Day opening for large retailers.

Continuing our work on the Edinburgh CAN

B initiative where we play a leading role in understanding how we can support the city’s businesses to measure and improve their impact aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Supporting the city’s plans to showcase how Edinburgh is progressing to Net Zero in the run up to COP26. Continuing to engage with local, national and UK Governments on a range of issues which impact businesses and the wider economy both directly and through our engagement with both Scottish and British Chambers of Commerce.

As ever, if you have anything you would like to discuss or feedback to our Policy team, please contact policy@edinburghchamber.co.uk