Chamber and committees

Our next item of business is an evidence session on the outlook for business investment. I welcome to the meeting Carolyn Currie, who is chief executive of Women’s Enterprise Scotland; Stacey Dingwall, who is head of policy at the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland; Fergus Mutch, who is a policy adviser at the Scottish Chambers of Commerce; and Clare Reid, who is director of policy and public affairs at the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.

I ask members and witnesses to keep their questions and answers concise so that we can get through as much as possible. To start, I am interested in hearing the witnesses’ views on current economic circumstances and the impact of the budget in Scotland that was announced last week. I know that we have not had long to digest the announcement, but I would like to hear your broader views on the budget.

Other members will come to issues around non-domestic rates and other practical issues that were addressed in the budget, but I am interested to know whether you think that it sets a positive context for investment and growth.

I come to Carolyn Currie first. I will give every witness a chance to speak before I move to other questions.

It has been suggested that the increase in the fee for creditors would have an impact on creditors’ willingness to take forward bankruptcy proceedings. Will the minister say a bit more about what the impact of that would be? Is he confident that AIB’s income will be supplemented to compensate for the anticipated reduction?

Thank you, Stacey. Fergus Mutch, in the new year, the committee will take evidence from the Deputy First Minister on the budget and the 10-year economic strategy. I am interested in the chambers’ views on how well the budget will support the 10-year strategy. Has enough been done to respond to that?

We move to questions for the minister and his officials.

Clare Reid, I have a similar question for you about the budget and the 10-year economic strategy. Is there enough in the budget to start to deliver on that strategy?

We move to questions from Colin Beattie.

I thank all the witnesses this morning for their helpful contribution to the committee’s work going into the new year.

The next item of business is evidence on the draft Bankruptcy and Debt Arrangement Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendment) Scotland Regulations 2023. I refer members to papers 1 and 2, and welcome to the meeting Tom Arthur, who is the Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth. He is joined from the Scottish Government by Suzanne Houston, solicitor, and Alex Reid, who is head of policy development.

I invite the minister to make a short opening statement.

Good morning, and welcome to the 31st meeting in 2022 of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. Our first item of business is to make a decision on whether to take item 5 in private. Are members content to take that item in private?

Members indicated agreement.

I invite the minister to move motion S6M-06962.

Motion moved,

That the Economy and Fair Work Committee recommends that the Bankruptcy and Debt Arrangement Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 be approved.—[Tom Arthur]

Motion agreed to.