David Lonsdale

No time to dawdle as new government forges stronger partnership with retail

No surprise that retail is helping to shift the dial on diversity and inclusion

THE announcement of the General Election was a strange combination of the surprising and the inevitable. It was coming and allegedly prompted by better economic indicators, but at least now there is some certainty.

THE political turbulence of the last few weeks will hopefully stabilise in the coming days and provide a little more certainty for businesses. However, this is the right moment to reflect on the lessons for the next First Minister from the incumbent’s record.

IT’S four years since the first Covid lockdown and in some respects, it feels a distant memory. Back then, Scotland’s retailers spent millions of pounds on implementing social distancing measures and changing the way we shop. However, there is now a very different epidemic plaguing our high streets.

'Perhaps what is missing is an advisory group on public spending control'

The sooner ministers get back to evidence-based policy making and shelve the surtax, the better

There remain big questions over whether he can succeed in achieving the Prime Minister’s goals

Businesses need to be alive to this emerging debate on local taxation because of the potential impact

'Mr Yousaf’s remarks will be keenly watched by business'