Kate Forbes has issued a stark warning to the UK Government, demanding immediate action to protect Scottish industry from global economic turbulence.
The Deputy First Minister stressed that Scotland’s economy remains fundamentally strong, but without urgent intervention, key sectors could falter.
She called for a reversal of the rise in employers’ National Insurance Contributions, branding it a tax on jobs that threatens employment at a precarious time.
Ms Forbes argued that keeping people in work should be a national priority and said the UK Government must remove barriers that prevent businesses from hiring.
She urged the Chancellor to accept that her recent Budget is already outdated in the face of rapidly changing global conditions.
A fresh approach is needed, she said, pointing to Spain as an example of a country stepping up with serious industrial investment.
Closer trading ties with the European Union also topped her list, describing Brexit as an ongoing drag on Scottish businesses.
She said the UK must now work towards the closest possible economic relationship with the EU to restore lost opportunities.
Energy costs, which have soared despite Scotland’s abundant renewable resources, also drew criticism from the Deputy First Minister.
She highlighted the disparity between Scotland’s energy output and the high electricity bills that continue to hammer both consumers and companies.
Ms Forbes called on Westminster to take urgent action to bring down electricity prices and ease the burden on businesses and households.
Investment clarity is another key demand, with particular focus on the long-awaited Acorn carbon capture and storage project.
She said a green light for Acorn could breathe new life into Grangemouth and provide a vital boost to Scotland’s energy transition ambitions.
The lack of progress on Acorn was framed as a missed opportunity to harness Scottish innovation and drive growth in emerging sectors.
Ms Forbes did not mince her words, calling the UK Government’s current economic approach outdated and ill-suited to modern challenges.
She said rigid fiscal rules, job taxes, and a continued Brexit trajectory were shackling Scottish progress.
Instead, she urged a forward-looking strategy focused on investment, sustainable growth, and support for workers and consumers alike.
The message was clear — Scotland is ready to thrive, but it needs the tools and the backing to do so.
All eyes now turn to the UK Government for a response that could decide the future of key Scottish industries.
