The Scottish National Party’s annihilation of its rivals in last week’s general election could deliver more liberal state spending north of the border on infrastructure and housing than is the case in England and Wales.
The party has taken a stand against the austerity measures favoured by the Westminster Conservative government, with extra spending partly funded by higher taxes on higher earners.
Gordon Nelson, the director of Federation of Master Builders in Scotland, said: “The construction industry contributes more than £10bn to Scotland’s economy and employs over 170,000 people, so the health of this industry is crucial to Scotland’s overall prosperity.”
“One of the greatest struggles SMEs face is the unfair payment practices perpetuated by some clients and larger contractors. Placing prompt payment terms into law could help protect small businesses from predatory practices.”
Gordon Nelson, Federation of Master Builders in Scotland
He added the SNP’s promise to legislate to improve payment practices was likely to be a significant help to the industry, as 98% of firms in the sector were SMEs.
He said: “One of the greatest struggles these firms face is the unfair payment practices perpetuated by some clients and larger contractors. Placing prompt payment terms into law could help protect small businesses from predatory practices and also help encourage more of them to engage in public sector procurement.”
The party also pledges support for wind farms and supports funding energy efficiency measures in homes through general taxation.
However, the party’s ability to implement its policy wishlist within Scotland is uncertain, and will depend on the changes to the constitutional make-up of the UK in the wake of promises to institute “devolution max” made by the “no” campaign before last year’s Scottish referendum.
But if the future settlement grants the Scottish government fiscal independence, this could allow the SNP greater freedom to implement its programme north of the border.
Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the SNP, told the BBC: “The government at Westminster cannot ignore what has happened in Scotland. People have voted overwhelmingly for Scotland’s voice to be heard and for an end to austerity.”
She added: “We will go to Westminster and seek to ensure that Westminster governments can’t ignore Scotland, that they can’t simply push aside the things that were voted for in Scotland yesterday.”
