Better Regulation: supporting economic growth and investment
This report is a review of regulation in key sectors in Scotland’s economy – housing, green industries and public infrastructure - to ensure that in the content and delivery of regulation there are no unnecessary impediments to growth and investment. It delivers against 2025 Programme for Government
Footnotes
1 Regulatory Review Group - gov.scot The independent Regulatory Review Group (RRG) was set up in December 2004 to promote and develop an environment where both business and government work together to promote better regulation and sustainable economic growth.
2 Business regulation - Supporting business - gov.scot
3 Programme for Government 2025 to 2026 - gov.scot We will create better certainty and stability, and make it easier to do business, including:… Publishing an action and implementation plan based on an assessment of the regulatory controls which exist in key growth sectors, starting with housing, public infrastructure, and green industries, by the end of 2025 – designed to make it easier to do business.
4 Tackling Scotland's Housing Emergency - gov.scot
5 Housing – SME homebuilders: Ministerial letter – October 2025 - gov.scot
6 The Scottish Government has consulted three times since 2021 on proposals to reform EPCs so they are fit to assess and report on energy performance for buildings in Scotland. This consultation included extensive engagement with businesses, including over 114 attendees to 7 workshops and 15 one-to-one interviews. The Regulatory Review Group (RRG) wrote to Ministers in May 2025 noting that “The proposed regulation has the potential to create an environment where consumers receive significantly enhanced information on the energy efficiency of a property prior to purchase”. The Regulatory Review Group provided recommendations to support the implementation of the reform.
7 Local government finance - Scottish Public Finance Manual - gov.scot
8 Small Business Survey Scotland: 2023-2024 - gov.scot . Regulations/red tape is reported as the fifth major obstacle for SMEs employers surveyed (42%). Major obstacles to the success of the business (2023-24) reported as energy prices (62%), Taxation, VAT, PAYE, National Insurance, business rates (47%), UK exit from the EU (43%), and staff recruitment and skills (43%).
9 Further detail can be found at Strategic Compensation Policy for Offshore Wind
11 Digital strategy for Scotland: vision statement - gov.scot