Responding to the latest changes to lockdown restrictions on Scottish businesses, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Today’s announcement will be very disappointing to those who have carefully adapted their businesses to be COVID safe and continue the trading that has kept them afloat up to this point. The lack of any certainty over when currently closed shops would be allowed to re-open added to the importance of Click and Collect services propping up many small and independent retailers.
“The Scottish Government must provide detailed evidence on how these new measures will support public health restrictions and urgently provide sufficient finance to support Scottish businesses if they are to get through yet more rules suddenly imposed upon them without prior consultation. Otherwise, it will only add to the growing desperation of businesses who have put finance and time aside to make their business COVID compliant, only to have to close anyway, with no clear route back to reopening.’’
Commenting on the additional business support announced by the Chancellor, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Given the new lockdown measures are as economically restrictive as March 2020, the additional business support from HM Treasury is needed and to be welcomed.
“However, it does not go far enough to mitigate the costs of shutting down our businesses. At a time when employees are anxious about their jobs and business owners are struggling to plan ahead, with cash running out, we ask that the Scottish Government allocate every penny of this additional funding to supporting businesses and saving our jobs.
“Billions have already been spent helping millions of businesses – we cannot allow businesses to fail at what we all hope will be our last hurdle.’’
Responding to the latest measures to tackle Coronavirus in Scotland, outlined by the First Minister today, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Today’s news is another blow to the private sector’s recovery from this pandemic. Whilst we fully appreciate the need for the Scottish Government to act in response to the worrying rise in COVID cases, we cannot ignore the direct impact this will have on business and livelihoods.
“The welcome news today that the Oxford vaccine has started to be rolled out reminds us that there is hope and we must focus all our efforts and resilience towards 2021.
“What is equally vital is that the Scottish Government also puts in place measures which will provide a springboard to private sector recovery when this latest round of restrictions is lifted. Support for businesses which have already been through so much and survived 2020, must be expanded and all cash support paid out urgently.
“I look forward to being involved in the discussions on what more will be done to drive this recovery in the coming weeks.’’
With 2020 having brought a range of unforeseen and pressing challenges for businesses in the North Highlands, we can perhaps be excused this year for losing sight of some of the longer-term issues. Yet the release recently of the UK Government’s Energy White Paper and promise that the nation will “build back cleaner” has reminded us that sustainability remains a pressing concern not just for the North Highlands, but across the whole of the UK.
Too often, as businesses, we look at issues like sustainability as a burden – more regulation, more paperwork and, too often, more money – and it is hard to deny that the shift to new ways of working that these issues require do bring with them all of those challenges.
However, as I have said repeatedly over the course of this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us more than ever how much businesses are at the heart of their communities. As part of that, we have a responsibility to our friends, our colleagues, our neighbours, to be the best we can be and to lead the way on issues that affect our whole community.
It has become clear that the climate emergency is one of the most pressing social and political issues of our time. As businesses, we have a key role and responsibility to play in addressing it, even if that brings with it some short-term challenges.
We must also remember that if we are active, willing participants in the climate discussion, we can help to shape the policies that will be coming. Not in a way that avoids our responsibilities, but in a way that helps us ensure the burden is fairly balanced and that the needs and concerns of businesses are considered as we build a new, greener economy.
On that note, it is also important that the benefits of the national push towards a sustainable economy are spread evenly, and that regions like the North Highlands see their fair share. We are well on the way to this already, with a strong skills base and supply chain experienced in areas like offshore wind and tidal, but the next few years will be key in ensuring that we receive the support we need from Government.
We also need to work hard to remind Government that, while an economic transition is needed, this cannot happen all at once and that there will be occasions where seemingly counter-intuitive investment decisions will have to be made to enable a transition that is fair for all.
Aviation, for example, is undoubtedly a contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet without access to lifeline air services in the North Highlands, it will be hard or impossible to develop other key parts of the green economic recovery in this region. Government support now for air services to the region will pay huge dividends in green development years to come, as well as unlocking the potential for the North Highlands to be at the forefront of exciting developments in low/zero-carbon aviation.
As a Chamber, we have been involved in discussions as part of the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Commission, and have been alarmed at some suggestions such as punitive measures on car drivers which would unfairly impact remote and rural regions like ours. We need to ensure that decarbonisation measures take into account these impacts and involve investment in transport modes, like aviation, that work for the remoter parts of Scotland and aren’t just focused on the Central Belt.
Businesses in the North Highlands have faced more than their fair share of challenges over the years, and it is clear that we will be feeling the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for many years to
come. The coming years and decades, and the inevitable shift to a green economy will undoubtedly bring their own burdens to the region.
There is an opportunity, however, for us to look past those burdens, grasp the sustainability agenda with both hands, and ensure that this region sees the investment it needs to rebuild stronger and better than before. As a Chamber, we will continue to be at the forefront of fighting for businesses in the North Highlands and helping them to build a better, cleaner, greener future for everyone.
The recipients of the inaugural Pride of Scotland Awards 2020 have been announced in the Daily Record today. Charandeep Singh will receive a Special Recognition Award for his work with The Sikh Food Bank which delivered 100,000 meals to families in need through the Covid-19 pandemic. Charandeep Singh, who is deputy chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, formed ‘The Sikh Food Bank’ at the start of lockdown to provide support for shielding and vulnerable households. Supported by a 50-strong team of Sikh volunteers, Charandeep has led the delivery of meals and food parcels to families across Glasgow as well as in Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Director & Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:
“Charandeep is a truly influential force in Scotland breaking barriers in business and in charity. His incredible passion, dedication and commitment to helping others has made a real difference to communities across Scotland. On top of his day job, Charandeep spearheaded the delivery of over 100,000 meals to people in need across Scotland throughout the pandemic.
“Charandeep is a true role model and inspiration to us all. We are immensely delighted he has received this tremendous recognition.”
Charandeep Singh, Deputy Chief Executive, SCC, and Founder of The Sikh Food Bank commented:
“I am so very humbled to receive the Pride of Scotland award. This has been an exceptionally tough year for us all and I am honoured to have played my part in helping our communities. “I couldn’t have done this on my own and I dedicate this award to all the volunteers, supporters and donors who continue to support The Sikh Food Bank.”
On the First Minister’s speech today outlining the outcomes of the sixth review of the Covid-19 Strategic Framework, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Businesses across Scotland are now facing the worst possible situation. Hampered by the stop-start implementation of yet more lockdown restrictions, together with the continued travel ban effectively cutting off the majority of Scotland, is not the news we were hoping for. For hospitality businesses across Scotland, today’s decision will be devastating at what would have been a time of hope and opportunity for vital trading in the lead up to the festive period.
“Compensation has not been enough to keep our doors open. The Scottish Government needs to substantially increase the level of financial compensation for the increasing loss of trade for businesses and our employees. This is needed even more urgently than before and paid out now. The longer this continues the more jobs are potentially placed at risk. Government needs to pull out all the stops to ensure businesses can come through this crisis – behind every job loss or business closure are real people and families.
“Scottish Government must pro-actively take steps to re-open the economy and urgently publish clear timetables for the re-opening of vital sectors such as live events. It is becoming increasingly difficult for business owners and our employees, who have worked so hard through this pandemic, to see the ‘end destination’ which will place our communities on the road to recovery.”
Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said:
“It’s businesses, the economy and the jobs they support that will pay the price for this. And although support schemes remain in place for now, they do not begin to cover the costs of businesses forced to mothball or remain open with limited custom.
“Christmas is now cancelled for large parts of our business community. We are already hearing that after Friday many bars and restaurants plan to remain closed until at least February or longer. Some might never re open at all. And retailers in our city centre and towns had been planning for far from normal but passable Christmas shopping numbers but now find around half of their catchments cut off as people cannot travel between Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.’’
“Given that the economic and social eco-system of this region does not recognise local authority boundaries, this makes little sense.’’
Responding to the Scottish budget update announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance Kate Forbes MSP today, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“A further £185million to support the hardest hit businesses in Scotland is welcome but will be cold comfort to many businesses who have so little cash left they have only weeks to survive. We are not convinced that the urgency of the need to pay our rent and other costs are fully understood.
“For many, January will be too late to save business owners, their families and their employees from economic ruin. This should be the top priority for all organisations who are going to be involved in supporting businesses.’’
Here at Caithness Chamber of Commerce, we’re committed to supporting businesses in the North Highlands. We’re currently exploring ways in which we can continue to do this further into the recovery stage of Covid-19 and are interested to hear from businesses to understand your needs.
We’ve developed a survey which is 8 questions, it shouldn’t take long to complete. Should you wish to discuss further, please feel free to get in touch: info@caithnesschamber.com.
While support may not be limited to chamber members, a membership can offer a range of benefits, to discuss, please contact Fiona Levack, Business Development Manager – Fiona@caithnesschamber.com You can read explicitly about membership & it’s benefits here.
Please share this survey with fellow North Highland businesses.
On the First Minister’s speech today outlining the outcomes of the fifth review of the Covid-19 Strategic Framework, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“We are glad to see that some of the most severe restrictions have eased in areas across Scotland, which will particularly help retailers who will hope to take advantage and trade in the key period leading up to Christmas.
“However, we remain concerned about the ongoing crippling impacts being felt by our hospitality and tourism businesses, who have seen their trade completely dry up and with little prospect of that recovering in the near future.
“It is therefore very urgent that adequate and effective financial support is provided for these businesses as well as for those who have fallen through gaps in business support. Such as businesses in lower-level areas still open but struggling with supressed activity and those in the supply chains of key industries who have been unable to access any such support.
“Businesses across all of Scotland need one thing: to be able to open their doors and trade. Not having to start and stop with their hands tied behind their back. We urge everyone to behave responsibly to support businesses, our families and our employees.’’