Bloated bureaucracy stops economic growth
Top of the First Minister’s todo list this week was an apology to ancient so-called witches. Hocus-pocus in the 16th century has already trumped the promised “laser focus” on delivery of the Economic Strategy. politically decadent whiff of deja vu floats in the air, last smelt in the weeks preceding the Covid pandemic. Then the Scottish Health Minister was welcoming the rugby hordes to Murrayfield hospitality, with “Stay Safe” adverts plastered over the stadium. Now, our First Minister gaily hires more spin-doctors than Duncan Bannatyne has spin-bikes, just when the Scottish standard of living faces threat of extinction. This is the time for the Scottish Government to chop its lardy muffin top. The girth of our bloated bureaucracy needs to shrink in defence of the real economy. Falling taxes can help steady wage packets under stress from rising prices. We need to move quickly on from saving the NHS to saving the workers. I’m not calling for any cut in services, quite the opposite. We live in a digital age with endless opportunities for rationalisation and automation across the public sector. This isn’t happening currently because the coffers are awash with public money and it’s easier just to hire another body than innovate.
It’s time, also, to admit that Scottish Enterprise has morphed into a middle-class jobs club. If it disappeared tomorrow, no genuine business would notice. A better economic return would be had by investing our money in transport, ports and educational projects. The days of bureaucrats playing Dragon’s Den with public money must come to an end.
Putin has pushed the cosy certainty of yesterday oot the proverbial windae, with European oil and gas shortages looming into view. English politicians get the urgency of the situation. They are busy refocusing energy policy around modular nuclear and indigenous fossil fuels. Holyrood is lagging events and must prioritise energy security above all else.
Our MSPS can get ahead of the situation by changing their ill-considered position on both the Cambo oil field and fracking. Scots can do more than await the arrival of refugees, we should be sending desperately needed surplus gas to Europe.
Who’s sorry now?
Nicola Sturgeon has issued an apology “on behalf of the Scottish Government" to all those Scots persecuted and killed as witches under the Witchcraft Act of 1563. Will she follow that up by seeking an apology from the Norwegian government for the hurt and emotional damage caused by that country’s expedition against Scotland culminating in the Battle of Largs in 1263? She may also like to seek an apology from Italy for the loss of life and suffering caused to Scots by the Roman invasion and occupation of parts of Scotland from AD 83.
GEORGE RENNIE
Inverness