Black Country firms keeping a close eye on Scotland Bill says Chamber

BUSINESSES in the Black Country will be paying close attention to the introduction of the new Scotland Bill, the area’s chamber of commerce has said.

If enacted, the Bill would see a range of new powers devolved from Westminster to Holyrood.

Ninder Johal, President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “As Westminster debates legislation to enshrine new powers for Scotland, business communities across the UK are paying close attention.

“Businesses want transfers of power away from Westminster to be clearly tied to delivering growth and prosperity for the nations and regions, through meaningful consultation and careful consideration of the impact on business.

“Greater tax differences between the nations and regions of the UK may create challenges for business, a fact that has so far been absent from the UK political debate. Administrative boundaries must not become barriers to trade and competition, for the sake of political expediency.”

He said businesses in all parts of the UK wanted their voice heard before sweeping changes to the constitutional settlement are made.

Johnathan Dudley, Chair of The Alliance for the Black Country and Managing Partner and Head of Manufacturing Business Crowe Clark Whitehill, said devolved powers to Scotland could not be given without retaining powers for England.

“We should not waste money by having regional governments all over the place. Our members voted on the level at which devolved powers should be passed. Only 11% of our members said that the referendum debate would have a positive impact on the Black Country and 56% wanted devolved powers at the West Midlands level,” he said.

“This is a significant change since our last poll in September 2014 when 72% said they were in favour of devolved powers at the Midlands level.”