Scotland's National Strategy for Economic Transformation: stakeholder engagement analysis

2. Views from wider public

2.1 Challenges

• Cluttered Public Sector Landscape: Delivery cluttered and could be reformed. Enterprise agencies could increase rural and remote voices, tailor support more and maximise value and the impact of public spending.
• Low National Productivity: Scotland's productivity rate is poor. Scotland as a nation is highly skilled, but lags behind OECD nations and skill shortages are a problem.
• Super-fast broadband/5G connectivity: Digital connectivity across mainland Scotland and the Islands needs to be improved as public services shift to new digital ways of working.
• Ageing housing stock a barrier to sustainable living.
• Better understanding of, and support for, rural community needs.
• Spending decisions: a better understanding of the Government spending multiplier on a sectoral basis to better direct spending and investment.
• Constitution: The constraints of devolution and lack of full fiscal and monetary autonomy restricts the ability for the Government to raise investment and direct spending.
• Advisory Council representation: Some concerns noted about lack of diversity of the Council and a lack of specialist expertise in Council on Climate Change, SME's, Transport, Youth, and the Islands.

2.2 Opportunities / priorities

• Wellbeing economy measures: Transition to person centred measures of progress and success, e.g. happiness as a measure.
• Role for women's entrepreneurship in a wellbeing economy. Better childcare, particularly at pre-3 year old stage, more financial support, more training and coaching.
• Public sector modernisation: A modern, digital public sector which is able to divert headcount from back office to front line could improve social outcomes.
• Focus on delivery and recognise the role of the private sector as a partner in delivery. Tailored support for rural businesses.
• Refocus business support with greater financial help for small industries/businesses rather than focusing investment on large companies.
• Incentives for migrants to come to Scotland: Start-ups, entrepreneurs and skilled migrants must be incentivised to making Scotland their home.
• Taxation: Non-domestic rates could be simplified.
• Business mentoring: Grants and funding for start-ups and entrepreneurs could be combined with mentoring, expertise and support.
• Digital upskilling: In order to avoid any generation from being left behind, continual funding and lifelong education and learning must be supported.

2.3 Examples of ideas to transform the economy

• Wealth Creation: Encourage risk taking to act as a vehicle for wealth creation.
• Public sector sharing services: Relating to productivity, it was highlighted that with a country as small as Scotland, public sector organisations could benefit from sharing corporate services and functions
• Decentralise civil service jobs and make them location neutral.
• 20 minute neighbourhoods: Invest in the concept of 20 minute neighbourhoods and regeneration of city centres.
• Joint focus on STEM subjects and creative arts to support entrepreneurship and creativity.
• Local transformation: Local solutions not just national solutions. Tailor support to meet local challenges.