New Deal for Business Group: final progress report

Annex 4 Timeline of Key Dates

18 April 2023: New Deal for Business Group announced in Former First Minister’s Policy Prospectus A fresh start for Scotland chaired by Neil Gray MSP Former Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy and Fair Work and Dr Poonam Malik

April – June: Subgroups of the New Deal Group prepare recommendations for improvement.

29 June 2023: New Deal for Business Group: progress report and recommendations Group sets out its recommendations. Former First Minister endorses the recommendations.

June – Sept: Outreach and Engagement across government to highlight the recommendations within the report and support business engagement with development of the Programme for Government in line with New Deal recommendations.

5 Sept 2023: Programme for Government 2023/24 Commitment

“Reset the relationship with business through implementing recommendations made by the New Deal for Business Group, including on the development and implementation of regulation. Work with business to develop a process for identifying, considering and if appropriate removing regulations no longer required, and to propose new regulations to support businesses in Scotland, especially our small businesses. Bring business representatives and other stakeholders together to advise on the successful implementation of new regulations through the Regulatory Review Group and ensure the consistent and effective use of the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment, with businesses engaged from the earliest stage of policy development.”

19 Oct 2023: New Deal for Business Group - Implementation Plan for the New Deal for Business Group progress report and recommendations published.

26 Oct 2023: First meeting of re-invigorated and refocused RRG

08 Feb 2024: Co-Chair changed to Mairi McAllan MSP appointed as the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy.

08 May 2024: Co-Chair changed to Kate Forbes MSP appointed as the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary Economy and Gaelic

12 Jun 2024: Publication of Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) - Toolkit updated in partnership with business

4 Sept 2024: Programme for Government 2024/25 Commitment

“Improve how businesses and government work together by delivering the commitments set out in the New Deal for Business. We have heard from business and regulators on the cumulative impact of regulations and recognise the need for certainty, phasing, and effective implementation of regulations.”

29 Oct 2024: New Deal for Business: principles published.