The Scottish Government to move beyond soundbites about a Wellbeing Economy and produce a plan that has the substance to deliver on its promises.
― In order to deliver a “Wellbeing Economy” it is necessary to be able to measure what “success” looks like. Recent commitments from the Scottish Government to develop a Wellbeing Economy Monitor are laudable, though more effort is required to create a monitor that allows for effective international comparison.
― Fundamental to the idea of a Wellbeing Economy is the principle that an economy should deliver for people and planet, not merely grow faster and forever.
― A Wellbeing Economy recognises the value of small local businesses and the role they play in communities and local economies – Scotland must work to give competitive advantage to these businesses rather than simply importing lower quality products – especially if such products would fail to meet domestic environmental, Fair Work or other regulations.
― The UK’s approach to government has for many years been a laissex faire approach that believes that government should “get out of the way” of the economy. A Wellbeing approach is the opposite. Governments can and must lead the way, set the example to follow and use tools such as its powers over public procurement, regulation and standards to define and drive forward a Wellbeing Economy.
― Whilst we recognise that Scotland could do much more with the full powers of independence, the Scottish Government can, and should, do more with the powers we currently have to steer the economy towards a Wellbeing approach.
― Everyone has a vested interest in tackling poverty, protecting the environment and building strong and healthy communities and businesses. A government that is serious about delivering a real Wellbeing Economy understands that and acts accordingly, getting beyond the soundbites.