Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) has asked the Scottish Government to scrap plans to permanently enshrine emergency lockdown powers in law, describing the move as “corrosive” to democracy and detrimental to Scotland's economic recovery.
Should the government choose to proceed with the plans, the Chamber has requested that five conditions be attached, including that they must have the backing of at least 75 MSPs or more, and that politicians and government officials take a 25% pay cut for the duration of any future business restrictions to “understand” the financial impact.
The Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill would allow ministers to extend the capacity to close schools, enforce stay-at-home restrictions and shut down hospitality venues beyond the Covid crisis, without having to seek parliamentary approval.
In a letter to the first minister, AGCC chief executive Russell Borthwick said unprecedented opposition to the Bill should be enough to have it condemned.
If it does proceed, the Chamber has called on five conditions to be attached to uphold public and business confidence.
They are:
- That any emergency measures require the approval of 75 or more MSPs.
- That the Covid Advisory Group is expanded to include business voices.
- That MSPs and officials take a 25% pay cut for the duration of any future restrictions.
- That any emergency funding is distributed with 48-hours of any restrictions.
- That ministers publish plans to help city centres recover from the pandemic.
Commenting on the letter, Russell Borthwick said: “After the last two years, we should be looking for ways to add more balances and scrutiny to executive power, not undermining democracy and handing a free rein to ministers. Therefore, any measures should have some backing beyond the government benches.
“Also, restrictions impose significant financial hardship on many businesses and their employees and it is important that our politicians and civil servants understand this sacrifice.
“Those making the rules should share and understand the financial pain being inflicted on those who are forced to follow them.”
The Law Society of Scotland has also voiced concern about the Bill, warning that the proposals “have the potential to result in very significant restrictions on liberty" without sufficient parliamentary scrutiny.
"This is turn creates a risk of misuse, or of powers being used in error," it said, adding: "There must be sufficient safeguards to maintain checks and balances on executive powers, and to ensure appropriate parliamentary oversight."
Mr Borthwick added: “Enshrining what was purely an emergency measure into our long-term future – against the widely-expressed concerns of the public, businesses, law chiefs and parliamentarians – will have a corrosive impact on democracy.
“Not only that, it will put Scottish businesses at a competitive disadvantage, make this country less attractive to investors and put our economic recovery at real risk.”