8. To ask the Scottish Government what policy changes it has implemented as a result of issues raised in the “New Deal for Business Group: Report on progress and recommendations”. (S6O-02756)

I thank Murdo Fraser for his question because it gives me the opportunity to set out that we have extended the deadline for lodging non-domestic rates proposals to 31 August 2023, which gives businesses an extra month to submit their 2023 revaluation proposals, following the introduction of the new two-stage appeals system on 1 April 2023.

We have re-established the regulatory review group, which met for the first time on 26 October 2023 and will provide advice on the pragmatic implementation of regulations. We have started activities to review and update the business and regulatory impact assessment toolkit and guidance, to ensure that it is accessible and purposeful. We are also establishing the new small business unit to work more closely with small businesses and ensure that their voices are heard during policy engagement.

In such short order, that is a good start, and there is more to come.

I welcome all the engagement that the Cabinet secretary referred to, which is very necessary because, last week, a poll of business directors in Scotland showed that fewer than a quarter believe that the Scottish Government understands the business environment in Scotland, and more than two thirds disagree with the statement that the Government understands the business environment.

Business wants action and delivery, not just words. We have just heard from the Chancellor of the exchequer that the 75 per cent rates relief for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector will be extended for a further year. That is the number 1 ask of this Government from businesses in those sectors, so will it follow suit?

On the final point that Mr Fraser raised on domestic rates, all of that is in the mix as we assess the impact on Scotland’s budget of what we have just heard in the autumn statement. It will take some time for the implications of what has been set out to come through in the wash, and some of the more positive elements might turn out to be more negative in relation to Scotland’s budget. We will look carefully at the implications of the autumn statement for our ability to look at non-domestic rates.

On Mr Fraser’s previous question about the attitudes of directors and the feeling about the sentiment of the Scottish Government, we continue to work on that. That is the whole reason why we have the new deal for business and why we are engaging in the way that we are. We understand that delivery will be critical. We published an implementation plan earlier this year to go alongside the recommendations of the new deal for business growth, so that we can be held accountable for the work that we have committed to doing.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

That concludes portfolio questions on wellbeing economy, fair work and energy. We will next turn to the finance and parliamentary business portfolio. I will allow the front-bench teams to change positions should they wish to do so.