Scottish Chambers of Commerce comment on vaccine certification

Following the statement from the First Minister which raised the possibility that vaccine certifications may be required for entry to nightclubs and many large events in Scotland from later this month, Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive, Dr Liz Cameron, who has written to the First Minister and opposition party leaders to outline businesses concerns, said:

“The prospect of vaccine certification requirements is causing Scotland’s businesses a great level of stress and anxiety and it’s right that this issue will be debated fully in Parliament next week.

“Scotland’s businesses are continuing to go above and beyond what is legally required of them to help halt transmission and keep COVID-19 case numbers to a minimum.

“Businesses operating in the events, nightclub and hospitality sectors urgently need clarity on where vaccine certifications could be required.

“Scotland’s economy is now finally beginning to recover, however the fact remains that many businesses continue to operate in survival mode, and the prospect of economic deterrents such as vaccine certificates, could prove damaging to business and consumer confidence.”

Responding to confirmation that the SNP & Scottish Greens have agreed a new power-sharing partnership within the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive, Dr Liz Cameron said:

“Businesses will want to very carefully examine the detail of this agreement to understand what the implications are for the direction of the Scottish Government and Scotland’s economy, at this crucial time, as we seek to recover from the twin challenges of exiting the EU and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Recovery from the pandemic and Glasgow’s hosting of COP 26 later this year creates a real opportunity to accelerate Scotland’s net-zero ambitions, but we need to do so in a way that protects the many communities and jobs currently involved in carbon intensive sectors of our economy by prioritising a Just Transition.

“Businesses have been clear that what they are looking for from the Scottish Government, whatever its composition, is a commitment to implement stronger pro-business policies, creating an economic environment which will enable us to grow, continue to employ talent and make Scotland an increasingly attractive place for investors.

“Scotland’s business communities are looking for demonstrable actions which fit these needs and expectations for employers, employees, and our young people entering the workplace for the first time.”

The Scottish Government has committed to delivering a new 10-year National Strategy for Economic Transformation – and wants to hear from you.

To help shape and drive this strategy, business leaders, academics and economists have been appointed to a new Advisory Council who will use their insight and experience to bring forward bold ideas and a focused plan of actions and projects to transform the economy.

To ensure the strategy works for businesses and workers across the country, this must be a national endeavour. That’s why the Scottish Government wants to hear directly from business, employees, stakeholders and people from across Scotland.

Please share your views / suggestions / opinions on the development of the National Strategy For Economic Transformation, using the email link below. This informal consultation runs until Friday 27 August.

EconomyCovid-19StakeholderUpdatesMailbox@gov.scot

Read the blog post from Scottish Government in full here.

The August Executive Magazine is out now!

You can read it online, this month includes our usual quarterly Caithness Chamber Newsletter.

Read the full magazine here and see the Caithness Chamber Newsletter from page 21.

The Newsletter includes updates from;

• Stacks Deli, Bakery & Coffee House
• Vitality
• North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre
• Norscot
• Budding Engineers
• Fibre 1
• Strathnaver Museum
• Dounreay
• North Highland College UHI

Reading through the magazine, you’ll spot even more members! You’ll read about Andrew Mackay from the Caithness Collection joining the board of Highland Tourism CIC (p20) and Harper Macleod who are busy preparing for the SHIRE Awards which take place in November (p19).

Editorial inclusion in the quarterly Chamber Newsletter within Executive Magazine is free of charge while members also receive exclusive discounts on advertising within the magazine. To discuss including your next good news story or advert, please just get in touch. info@caithnesschamber.com 

Sign up to have future Executive Magazines sent directly to your inbox using this link.

Responding to the statement delivered by the First Minister to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon on COVID-19 restrictions, Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive, Dr Liz Cameron said:

“The First Minister’s statement today will be largely welcomed by Scotland’s business community as we move towards the most significant lifting of restrictions on our economy since they were first imposed 17 months ago.

“The removal of physical distancing requirements and changes to self-isolation rules will have a major positive impact on all businesses. This will enable us to increase capacity, whilst removing the massive pressures on staff being forced to self-isolate due to close contact guidance which has left many businesses unable to fully operate if at all. These are both sensible, appropriate, and welcomed changes.

“Many businesses however believed that moving beyond the levels system would result in the removal of all restrictions, however some uncertainty remains as to mandating the continued use of face coverings in certain settings.

“Whilst ongoing restrictions will be subject to review, businesses need greater clarity now and will want to see clear end dates forthcoming to instil consumer confidence. Moving towards greater individual and business choice is vital and any measures remaining in place to mitigate and manage risk must be proportionate and appropriate.

“It’s vital that the vaccine and testing regime rollout continues at pace and that Scotland continues to make progress toward the complete lifting of all legal restrictions as soon as possible to enable businesses and the economy to start recovering.”

On the re-opening of offices, Liz Cameron said:

“Giving Scotland’s businesses the green-light for the phased return to offices is the news many have been waiting for and will lay a firm foundation towards securing economic recovery for our hard-hit town and city centre businesses, many of which rely on office employee footfall for custom.

“Many businesses, even before the pandemic, were in discussions with employees over moves towards potential hybrid models of working and increased flexibility generally. Business models have already changed due to the pandemic and will continue to evolve further as restrictions lift and this will ultimately come down the needs of business and employees.”

This month, we welcomed Assured Telecoms and Maclean Electrical to our Chamber membership group.

Assured Telecoms Ltd are a supplier of Bespoke Telephone Systems, Business Calls and Lines, Business Connectivity and Business Mobile.
To celebrate joining, Assured Telecoms are offering an exclusive Member to Member offer. Fixed prices for Caithness Chamber members:

• Business Unlimited Fibre Broadband (including Wi-Fi Router) – £25.50 per month
• Business VoIP Telephone System – £10 per user including free handset
• Business Mobile Sim Only – From £6 per month (various packages available)
• Free Virtual or Telephone Consultation for advice on how the big switch off will affect your business

Find out more about this offer and how to claim it, here.
In addition to the member to member offer, businesses have the chance of a £50 Amazon voucher in their latest promotion, read more here.

MacLean Electrical group, part of the DistributionNOW group of companies, is a world class specialist in the global supply and management of electrical products, lighting systems & cables, valves and safety, PPE equipment and specialised tooling for harsh & hazardous environments in onshore, offshore & renewable energy, petrochemical, process, marine, industrial & infrastructure applications.

With over 45 years of providing supply chain solutions, we hold a vast inventory of stock across our purpose-built distribution bases throughout the UK including Dingwall, Aberdeen and Great Yarmouth. We manage a wide portfolio of supply agreements with major operators, covering upstream North Sea and downstream onshore operations, many of which benefit from our bespoke E-Commerce platform.

SERVICES PROVIDED

Our electrical scope of supply is wide ranging to include, but not limited to, on-shore and off-shore cable, cable glands and accessories, cable tray, ladder and channel, junction boxes and switchgear, LED and traditional lighting solutions and cable transit systems, much of which is consumed in the offshore renewable market. MacLean’s electrical material supply is enhanced by our own on-site BASEEFA certified workshop facilities where we provide customisation, assembly and certification of junction boxes and control stations. Our safety and PPE offering covers workwear and protective clothing, PPE, personal fall protection and rescue equipment, marine and lifesaving equipment and specialised tooling specific to offshore wind operations. Our valve offering covers a wide range of valves including but not limited to butterfly, ball, choke, diverter, needle, control, instrument and plug.

To discuss membership, please reach out to our Business Development manager, Fiona Levack. You can contact Fiona by email: fiona@caithnesschamber.com. You can read about membership on the website using this link.

If you’re already a member but would like a reminder of how to get the most from your membership, Fiona will gladly go over that with you too.

Responding to the news that fully vaccinated travellers from the EU and US will not have to quarantine on arrival in Scotland, Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive, Dr Liz Cameron OBE said:

“It is very welcome that the Scottish Government quickly took the decision to align with the UK Government on the latest changes to the travel regime: allowing double vaccinated travellers from the EU and US to not have to self-isolate upon arrival in Scotland.

“This will provide much needed clarity and certainty for next week – when this change comes into effect – so that our businesses can properly prepare and aim to take advantage of increased travel flows.

“We hope that a four nations approach continues to be adopted on future decisions around travel restrictions, as the risk of divergence would pose a great threat to Scotland’s aviation, travel and wider tourism industries. We must not see these vital parts of our economy put at a competitive disadvantage, as we attempt to open up and show that Scotland is open for business.”

Responding to the news that fully vaccinated travellers from the EU and US will not have to quarantine on arrival in England, Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive, Dr Liz Cameron OBE said:

“It’s essential that the Scottish Government swiftly update international travel rules to bring them into alignment with those in place in England for vaccinated travellers and we urge the Scottish Government to bring forward a decision on quarantine changes as a matter of urgency for Scotland’s business community.

“Scotland’s business and travel industry will be hugely disadvantaged if these changes aren’t implemented on a four-nations basis and businesses will want to see an early decision made by the Scottish Government to allow them to plan properly ahead of the changes coming into effect on Monday in England.

“Re-opening international travel isn’t only vital for the thousands of people employed directly in Scotland’s travel and tourism industry, but also the wider supply chain, touching on almost every part of Scotland’s economy.

“It’s crucial that the Scottish Government align with the U.K. Government on travel quarantine restrictions to help support business travel, enabling industry and international trade to reboot and begin operating in and out of global markets again.”

Following the confirmation by the First Minister that all of Scotland will move to Level 0 from the 19^th of July, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:

“The confirmation that Scotland will move to Level 0 on 19^th July marks another encouraging milestone towards the full re-opening of Scotland’s economy and business’s ability to recover.

“The fact remains though that the modified framework deviates away from what businesses had been preparing for and moving the goalposts at this late stage will cause uncertainty, negatively impacting on business confidence and recovery.

“The postponing of the phased return of offices will be a bitter blow for employees and employers alike, many of which had been getting ready to welcome employees back into offices from next week. This will also sound alarm bells for those town and city centre businesses, reliant on office worker footfall and custom, who now need to wait another month until those workers start to return.

“Scotland’s hospitality sector, one of the hardest hit by restrictions, will be concerned that anticipated restrictions were not lifted, including little reprieve for the night-time economy, with challenging restrictions on trading remaining.”

On changes to rules for self-isolation and quarantine, Liz Cameron said:

“A greater four-nations alignment on international travel restrictions and self-isolation is positive, however, until all restrictions are lifted many businesses operating in Scotland’s travel and tourism sector simply won’t be able to open.

“The international travel industry is vital to Scotland’s wider tourism and hospitality sectors, and it’s essential that financial support for these businesses is not only continued but enhanced to allow them to fully recover when restrictions do finally lift.”

On moving beyond Level 0, Liz Cameron said:

“Our view is clear that we should continue on the path set out towards the lifting of all restrictions on the 9th of August as planned.

“The role of the Scottish and UK Government must evolve to enable businesses and communities to operate with autonomy, according to personal circumstances, business preferences and sectoral requirements.”