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Jobs and growth must take centre stage in Scottish elections

Jobs and growth must take centre stage in Scottish elections

The Scottish Property Federation (SPF) urged Scotland’s politicians to put jobs and economic growth at the heart of May’s Holyrood elections as it published its Manifesto for Growth today.

The Manifesto, launched at the Scottish Property Federation Annual Conference, sets out six key steps that would show that Scotland is open for business, encourage investment and enable the property industry to help build a platform for economic revival.

David Melhuish, director of the Scottish Property Federation, said: “The economy and job creation are two of the biggest challenges facing Scotland, and they must therefore be found at the heart of every political party’s election efforts.”

“With the right mechanisms the property industry can help to build a platform for economic revival and to reinvest in our built environment.  All industries are in the midst of some very challenging economic conditions, but the impact of the recession means that property is now producing perhaps a third of its former contribution to the economy and to Government coffers.  The clash of limited private finance and reducing public budgets means that we must innovate if we are to bring forward infrastructure investment to kick-start the economy and meet public aspirations.

“It is vital that all political parties recognise that Scotland must be competitive and open for business and investment, without which the productive activities of business would simply not be possible.”

John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, will give the keynote address to at the Scottish Property Federation’s annual conference Is Scotland Open for Business? at 12.45pm.

The SPF’s key proposals for the Scottish Government include:

1.Consider the sale-and-leaseback of public property as a means of generating up to £25bn of capital to invest the economy - creating new jobs and spurring economic growth
2.Bring forward infrastructure investment and encourage further Tax Increment Financing where feasible
3.Make the economy and jobs a priority in the planning system by making the promotion of economic development a duty for the public sector and introduce greater flexibility to fast-track appropriate development proposals
4.Ensure business rates are competitive and that Scotland retains long-term empty property rates relief
5.Encourage appropriate, costed and simplified building standards and sustainability policies that do not duplicate and deter investment in both existing and new property stock
6.Promote investment in the private rented sector to unlock the development of new homes and offer genuine quality choice between ownership and renting.

ENDS

For further information or to organise an interview please contact:

Paul Sweeney, Media Assistant, British Property Federation and Scottish Property Federation, psweeney@bpf.org.uk, 07841 732194

David Melhuish, Director, Scottish Property Federation, dmelhuish@bpf.org.uk, 07841 080989

The Scottish Property Federation believes that a healthy commercial property industry is vital to sustainable economic growth. SPF’s role is to gain the best possible legislative and regulatory conditions to allow the Scottish commercial property industry to operate successfully.

Established in 2007 the Scottish Property Federation has a proven reputation for effectively representing the commercial property industry to the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament.  SPF works closely with those who advise and decide on public policy in Scotland to ensure that key decision makers are aware of the consequences of their decisions and of the role of the commercial property industry as a driver of economic growth. As part of the British Property Federation we also benefit from close links with Westminster and Brussels.

With over 100 different companies including owners, developers, investors and their professional advisors, we represent our members by ensuring that decision-makers hear directly the expert advice of those who work in the commercial property markets. If your organisation is involved with the commercial property industry but is not a member, we would be delighted to get you involved.

A copy of the manifesto will be available from: http://www.scottishpropertyfederation.org.uk/news-room/spf-news/go-for-growth---spf-manifesto-launched-tomorrow.html