ANALYSIS

At the Scottish Chambers of Commerce annual business address last week, Nicola Sturgeon urged guests to take their opportunity to collar Derek Mackay for a pre-Budget chat.

The First Minister’s “here one minute, gone the next” appearance as guest speaker put the Finance Secretary squarely in the firing line.

Despite hundreds of Scotland’s top business people wanting to have a word in his ear, Mr Mackay remained cool, calm and collected throughout.

But, given his draft Budget speech yesterday, it seems Mr Mackay was listening.

His approach to business rates and the capping of the poundage rate means Scotland will maintain a competitive edge.

And his decision to kick the prettymuch universally disliked out-of-town retail levy into the long grass received a strong welcome from Scotland’s leading business organisations.

The out-of-town levy in particular was a focus of concern for the business community.

Indeed, more than 20 organisations representing all facets of the commercial life of Scotland signed a joint pre-Budget letter urging the Cabinet Secretary to ditch the plan.

In the current volatile political climate, it is refreshing Scotland has a government that is prepared to listen to its business base and take action.

There were also plusses from a longer-term economic standpoint, with commitments to skills and training – Michelin Dundee may well play a significant role in that particular space in the coming years – and cash to boost the modern apprenticeship programme.

Budget 2018 was not perfect – I have yet to see one that is.

But when one of the country’s largest business organisations describes it as “savvy” then it would appear you are doing something right at least.