The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) brought together Politicians, journalists and a solicitor to debate the issue of Scottish Independence and the impact it would have on the UK construction industry, at Dunblane Hydro Hotel on Saturday 15th September.
The debate, the first of its kind, included Keith Brown MSP, Minister for Transport and Veterans; Gordon Banks MP, Shadow Scotland Office Minister; Steve Bargeton, Deputy Editor of the Courier and Anne Struckmeier, leading construction Solicitor and Partner of HBJ Gateley with Gary Robertson of BBC Scotland chairing the discussion.
The panellist offered contrasting views on whether independence would be good for Scotland. The debate also covered issues such as independence from an SME perspective and the legal issues of independence. FMB Members and leading construction industry representatives attended the debate.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said: "The question of Scottish independence is important to the UK construction industry. Many construction SMEs, including many of our members, have questions about the business environment they would operate in should Scotland become independent. Some of these questions relate directly to the construction industry, such as the CITB levy and CIS taxation regime, whilst others are common questions for all SME businesses, such as tax rates, employment law, health and safety, capital investment spending, company regulation, currency and border control. The debate provided an opportunity for FMB members to ask these key questions."
(CD)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
29/11/2024
Construction has begun on the initial phase of Spaceport 1, a sub-orbital launch site in the Outer Hebrides. Local contractor, Macaulay Askernish Ltd, has been awarded a contract by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to undertake enabling works at Scolpaig Farm in North Uist. The project, funded by a £947k ...
29/11/2024
David Smith Contractors Ltd, a local firm based in Fraserburgh, has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract to contribute to the construction of the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project. The company will undertake civil engineering works at the converter station site near Boddam, Peterhead. ...
29/11/2024
Scotland has unveiled a new plan to become a leading exporter of renewable hydrogen by 2030. The plan, titled 'A Trading Nation: Realising Scotland's Hydrogen Potential – A Plan for Exports', outlines specific actions needed to achieve this goal. The Scottish Government aims to capitalize on the ...
29/11/2024
First Minister John Swinney has welcomed the progress being made in the construction of the new Perth High School during a recent site visit. The new three-storey building, being delivered by Robertson Construction Tayside on behalf of hub East Central Scotland, will accommodate up to 1,600 pupils ...
29/11/2024
Glasgow City Council has given the green light to the sale of four land plots in the city to facilitate various development projects. The sites in question are located in Carmyle, Deaconsbank, Maryhill, and Port Dundas. The disposals are expected to generate significant capital receipts for the ...
29/11/2024
Scottish Water is set to achieve a significant milestone in its woodland creation programme, planting over 500,000 trees by the end of the current planting season in March 2025. This year, the company will plant more than 245 hectares of native woodland across various sites, including Loch ...
28/11/2024
Construction has begun on a new £33 million student accommodation development in Glasgow city centre. The project, a partnership between Artisan Real Estate and Homes for Students, will provide 321 self-contained studio apartments at 292-298 St Vincent Street. The existing office building on the ...
28/11/2024
Springfield Properties has submitted detailed plans to Midlothian Council for the first phase of its new Lingerwood development. The proposed development, located off Stobhill Road near Newtongrange, will eventually include around 1,000 homes. The first phase will comprise 63 homes, ranging from ...
28/11/2024
Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has called on the Scottish Government to prioritise the needs of rural communities in the upcoming Scottish Budget. Dee Ward, Chair of SLE, has urged the Finance Secretary, Shona Robison, to conduct a robust rural impact assessment for all spending and taxation ...
28/11/2024
Four Scottish electrical apprentices have been praised for their performance in the prestigious SkillELECTRIC competition. John-Ross Campbell, Kalum Low, Milly Smith, and Ewan Thomas, all SETCTT apprentices, represented Scotland in the UK-wide competition, which was held at Oldham College. Milly ...