Scottish Government Sets Out Power Sharing Agreement
Posted on in Cycles News , Political News
The S
cottish Government has published its shared policy programme following the announcement of the Scottish National Party's power sharing partnership with the Scottish Green Party.
The policy programme restates the government's ambitions for an independent Scotland within the EU and sets out plans to bring forward a regulatory framework for zero emissions heating and energy efficiency.
The policy programme also states the Scottish Government will embed the concept of twenty-minute neighbourhoods to strengthen community resilience, publish a national strategy for economic transformation in the Autumn, and place duties on Scottish Ministers to produce statements of policy in relation to food.
Economic Development & Communities
The Scottish Government will publish a Retail Strategy to help the sector innovate, thrive and support local supply chains. A new ten-year strategy for economic transformation will also be launched in the Autumn, while a new £20m Rural Entrepreneur Fund will provide grants of up to £10,000 to support the relocation or creation of 2000 businesses. The Programme for Government states aims to revitalise local communities through the development of ‘20-minute neighbourhoods' where key services can be accessed within a short walk or cycle. A consultation on a new fourth edition of the National Planning Framework will be launched this autumn to embed this concept.Net Zero Nation
The Scottish Government will bring forward a Circular Economy Bill in this parliamentary session which bans commonly littered single-use plastic items. An update will be provided shortly on delivering a deposit return scheme, following the independent review of the implementation date, currently set for summer 2022. To help the transition towards net zero, the Scottish Government will establish Just Transition Plans for all sectors, including retail. The sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be phased out by 2030 alongside improvements in electric vehicle infrastructure.
Business Rates
The Small Business Bonus Scheme will be retained for the lifetime of this Scottish Parliament. The Business Growth Accelerator will also be in place for the full parliamentary term, providing no increase in rates bills for 12 months after property improvements are made. A Non-Domestic Rates Covid-19 Appeals Bill will prevent the use of material change of circumstances provisions within the business rates appeals system which cite Covid-19 or related restrictions.
Download the full policy programme here.