Swinney pledges rates reform and regional growth – Daily Business

John Swinney addressing last year’s Forum (pic: DB Media Services)

First Minister John Swinney will today promise to improve the planning system, expand apprenticeships and devolve powers to regional partnerships to create jobs and boost local economies.

Mr Swinney will tell the annual Prosper Forum in Edinburgh that he is putting the economy at the centre of his government’s programme.

“A strong economy is key to everything I want to achieve as First Minister,” he says. “Without a strong economy we cannot weather this period of global upheaval that feels so prevalent in the world today.

“We know Scotland’s economic potential cannot be unlocked by working only from the centre. We need strong, empowered and organised regions to help drive growth across the country.

“We are working with a range of stakeholders, including Prosper, to identify ways to further empower Regional Partnerships so that they can more easily support local jobs and boost regional economies.”

The First Minister adds: “One of the clearest messages we have heard as a government is that our planning system needs to work better for growth. We have been hard at work to increase capacity and improve performance.

“The ambitions we all have for this remarkable country will only be realised if we build them together. It is active and vibrant communities, with thriving businesses on their high streets and good jobs and affordable homes for their residents.

“So let’s keep working together to make those ambitions happen because working together is the only way that they will.”

In a wealth taxation debate in the parliament today, Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth will confirm work is underway to introduce a private jet tax from 2028 and two new council tax bands for homes worth more than £1 million.

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