A former chair of the CIOB in Scotland, Kenny Anderson FCIOB, believes that Scottish construction businesses should not fear independence as it will have little impact on the construction sector, but he will be voting “Yes” because it will be better for the country.
Anderson was speaking to CM in a personal capacity this week, following the launch on Tuesday by Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond of a 670-page White Paper outlining the Scottish government’s blueprint for an independent Scotland.
The managing director of Aberdeen-based Anderson Construction said: “I’ll be voting yes because it gives us more opportunity to make decisions for ourselves and spend on the things we believe are a priority and cut back on things that are not, like Trident. Also, I believe that the UK is in danger of being too London-centric, which sucks out resources, and we’re affected by that as well.”
Anderson is also a former chair of CIOB Aberdeen Centre, and was an elected CIOB Trustee from 2009 to 2012. He said that most of the policies that affected construction, such as procurement and housing, were already under the control of the Scottish Parliament, following devolution. But he welcomed the beneficial tax regime for SMEs set out in the White Paper for Independence, Scotland’s Future.
"The argument surrounding independence for Scotland raises many issues, the most concerning for me is potential economic instability in the medium-long term"
Stephen Kemp, Orkney Builders (Contractors)
Despite it being an enormous talking point across the country, Anderson said there had been little debate among construction businesses in Scotland about the issue and most were being coy about their views for fear of offending clients who might have opposite opinions. “At a guess I would say construction firms reflect the general opinion polls – 30% for and 60% against and 10% don’t know.”
Business and professional organisations, such as the CIOB, are on the whole remaining neutral. “CIOB Scotland Branch is and will remain neutral, however, it supports the right of our individual members to comment and ultimately vote as they see fit,” said a spokesperson.
Alex Salmond launched his blueprint for the break-up of Britain, published in advance of the September 2014 referendum, by promising voters they would be £600 better off in an independent Scotland in which the tax system would be fairer and childcare would be improved.
The First Minister also promised Scotland “will” retain sterling and would seek to join the EU on the same terms as the UK, including an opt-out of the euro and a share of the rebate negotiated by Baroness Thatcher.
The weighty document contained no Plan B for a separate Scottish currency despite a series of political figures, led by chancellor George Osborne, warning that a deal to share sterling was unlikely.
Alistair Darling, the former Labour chancellor and leader of the pro-UK Better Together campaign, said the Scottish Government had produced a “wish list of political promises” with few details or costings.
The paper also promised to remove Trident nuclear weapons from the Clyde by 2020 and said the minimum wage would rise alongside the cost of living, while basic rate tax allowances and tax credits would rise in line with inflation.
"We welcome any specific policies designed to support the construction industry. The best constitutional arrangement for delivering those policies is a debateable point and your view of independence will determine what conclusion you reach."
Vaughan Hart, Scottish Building Federation
However, Stephen Kemp of Orkney Builders (Contractors), commented: “There is a massive amount of information to be looked at within the document. At first glance it would appear to be full of good news relative to Scottish Industry and SMEs like us – however, there is no evidence or guarantee that anything will be improved economically. The argument surrounding independence for Scotland raises many issues, the most concerning for me is potential economic instability in the medium-long term. Over the coming months I hope that much more informed debate can take place to enable the Scottish public to be fully aware of what they will be voting for next year.”
Scottish Building Federation managing director Vaughan Hart said: “There’s a lot in the White Paper to be digested and it will take time to formulate a clear view about its impact on the referendum debate. Like a lot of other membership organisations in the Scottish business community, SBF has no formal position on the referendum question since individual members will take different views.
“Clearly, we welcome any specific policies designed to support the construction industry. The best constitutional arrangement for delivering those policies is a debateable point and your view of independence will determine what conclusion you reach. I think a lot of people have yet to reach a clear view on that. Making as much information as possible available to enable voters to make an informed decision can only be a good thing.”
Anderson added: “The document provides a lot of detail that wasn’t there before, but the reality is that should there be a vote for independence the makeup of parliament in 2016 will determine how the Scottish parliament goes forward.”
Home page photograph: Flickr/Paul Dougherty
