![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/John-Swinney-revealing-Programme-for-Government-1.9.26.png\")
Business groups gave a somewhat weary response to John Swinney\u2019s plans to grow the economy and tackle business costs, most of which were couched in more consultations, reviews and long term pledges.<\/p>\n
Mr Swinney said he will set up a major projects office, to speed up delivery of large strategic developments, and a specialist support unit for high-growth businesses, though the latter has already been announced.<\/p>\n
In a programme for government that focused on reforming the public sector, he said there will be a three-month consultation on reforming Scotland\u2019s 32 local authorities, with proposals to pool back-office functions and create region-wide decision-making bodies, a hint of a return to the old regional councils.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are faced with the reality that some of our councils are too small to be strategic and some are too big to be local,\u201d said the First Minister. \u201cThe government believes that should change.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur actions are about improving public services and at the heart of this approach is the need for simpler and more coherent decision-making structures.\u201d<\/p>\n
There will be a consultation on introducing a food price cap, already heavily-criticised by industry groups, while a \u00a32 bus fares cap will be introduced next Monday. There was no more detail on long-awaited reforms of business rates or the planning process. <\/p>\n
Michelle Ferguson, the director of CBI Scotland, said: \u201cBusinesses do not need more strategies or reviews. They need to see decisions made faster, investment unlocked and the barriers to growth removed.<\/p>\n On business rates, she said: \u201cWhile the government has provided\u00a0relief\u00a0to help businesses\u00a0through the 2026\u00a0business rates\u00a0revaluation, it has not set out the\u00a0fundamental\u00a0reform\u00a0business need.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBusiness needs a simpler, more\u00a0transparent\u00a0and competitive rates system\u00a0with greater certainty over costs and a clear commitment that Scotland will remain competitive with the rest of the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n On the lack of any further detail on planning, she added: \u201cConsultations are\u00a0welcome,\u00a0but\u00a0the Government\u00a0must push ahead with\u00a0full-throttle reform of a\u00a0planning\u00a0consenting system that is too slow, resource-starved and\u00a0the single biggest brake on\u00a0investment and economic growth, particularly in grid upgrades, offshore wind, the development of\u00a0housing\u00a0and\u00a0industrial sites.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Swinney gave a commitment to \u201csubstantially reduce\u201d the number of public bodies, which is currently more than 130. As Daily Business <\/em>forecast, this will include bringing Transport Scotland into central government, merging existing environmental bodies into one organisation and the creation of a single ferries body for the Clyde and Western Isles routes.<\/p>\n Gail Boag, ICAS CEO, said: \u201cWe agree with the First Minister that Scotland\u2019s economic growth has been \u2018too low for too long\u2019. Addressing that challenge needs more than ambition alone. The priority now must be delivery. <\/p>\n \u201cThe commitment to meaningful public service reform is therefore a positive one, but bold promises must now be backed by clear plans for delivery and improved outcomes for citizens.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Programme for Government offered little detail on how that growth will be delivered. Scotland now needs sustained action to improve productivity, attract investment and create the right conditions for businesses to grow.<\/p>\n Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord said:\u00a0\u201cWelcome back to Groundhog Day.\u00a0 Same old empty promises, just rebranded, but still a medley of sticking plasters and gimmicks instead of practical, long-term solutions for the benefit of the Scottish people.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhat message of hope did the FM give to our 380,000 SMEs who are struggling with rising costs in energy, in employment costs, in rent, in business rates, in taxes?<\/p>\n \u201cTwo million Scots did not vote in the May Election, double the one million that voted SNP.\u00a0 They are fed up with performative politics; instead, they want good Government.\u201d<\/p>\n \t <\/div>\n![\"Michelle](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Michelle-Ferguson-CBI.png\")
![\"Gail](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Gail-Boag-new.png\")