We have goals for recovery, now we need a plan

That’s what 2020 feels like. Brexit transition, a pandemic, adjustments to all kinds of challenges, learning to adapt to the new normal. Working from home and being demented when the wifi cuts out, curious why the city suddenly has bollards everywhere (spaces for people!), Zooming (video on or off depending on good/bad hair day) and shouting ‘you’re on mute’ on a daily basis!

An uncertain year but one of determination and trepidation, of strengths and wobbles, of loving a different pace but feeling a bit disconnected, having a daily walk but then

having a glass of wine.

It’s been a pick and mix of emotions, understanding the need to protect lives but also despairing at the binary decision-making that is destroying our economy and depriving many of a livelihood and a future.

I’ve had many conversations with people recently, all looking forward to bringing the curtain down

on 2020. Definitely a year of loss – loved ones, jobs, businesses, confidence and not least the

opportunities for our young people that will take years to recover. The next 3 years of school leavers

and graduates will all be competing in a much smaller job market, alongside the more mature, still

with so much to contribute. Yet in spite of the continued focus on inclusion, fair work and net zero

carbon, we are seeing an increase in poverty and a growing polarisation of society.

Something isn’t working.

One of the most shocking stories of the year is hearing that UNICEF has had to feed families in our

capital city for the first time in the organisation’s 70 year history. That really must stop us in our

tracks. After years of referendum after referendum, Brexit negotiations and a divided nation, we

need government and leadership not more politics and rhetoric about creating a fairer society. We

need to deliver.

We need leaders who understand the contribution that business, culture and our educational

institutions make to employment, innovation and the public purse. All squarely behind an inclusive

and sustainable economy and have solution after solution to provide to our policy makers, yet all too

often falling on deaf ears.

Many business sectors are on their knees, if they are closed down then appropriate compensation

must be provided by those creating the policies, to ensure businesses and jobs survive beyond the

virus.

Inclusion, Fair Work and Net Zero Carbon is the strategy of both local and national government. But

is this really a strategy? A strategy is setting goals then determining a plan to achieve these. We have

the goals but are lacking the plan. A closer relationship between government and business would

enable a greater collaboration towards a deliverable solution.

We recently established the Edinburgh Business Resilience Group, a stellar collective of business

leaders of all sectors and sizes, determined to force a stronger, more collegiate relationship with

government. Every aspect of the recovery and future resilience narrative embeds inclusion, net zero

carbon and enterprise as the core considerations. Considerable energy, experience and commitment

is being harnessed, all for the good of Edinburgh and Scotland.

Edinburgh will speak with one voice to ensure it maintains its global status as a world leading

Festival, Educational, Cultural and Entrepreneurial city that will deliver a fair and prosperous

economy.

That is something to be very optimistic about and a good thought to pull down the curtain on 2020

and light the stage for 2021.

Liz McAreavey is CEO of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce

We have goals for recovery, now we need a plan - Liz MacAreavbey