The falling inflation rate is adding further weight to the case to mitigate the planned rise in Scotland's business rates bills this April.  Following news that CPI inflation has fallen to 4.2% and RPI inflation had fallen to 4.8% in December, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

'The Scottish Government is planning to increase business rates for firms across Scotland by 5.6% in April – a figure based on last September's inflation rate.  It is now clear that by the time this business rates increase is implemented, real inflation will be at a much lower rate and the Scottish Government will be taking much more money from businesses as a result.

'According to the Scottish Government's own figures published after the Draft Budget, it was expecting to take an additional £115 million from Scottish businesses this year as a result of inflation.  RPI inflation at that time was 5.2%, but it was September's RPI rate of 5.6% that was ultimately applied, meaning that Scottish businesses will actually be paying some £123 million extra this year – £8 million more than the Scottish Government had budgeted for.  However these latest inflation figures suggest that businesses should only be paying an additional £106 million this year, with that figure set to fall further as the months go on.

'With the Scottish Budget still at a draft phase, there is still time for the Scottish Government to apply a fair rate of increase in this year's business rates and minimise the financial burden on Scotland's hard pressed businesses.'

Commenting on the Transport Secretary's announcement of the go-ahead for HS2, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

'This announcement is great news for British businesses and is confirmation of an ambition to finally take the UK’s transport network into the 21st century.  The stretch of HS2 between London and the West Midlands is just the first stage of a major engineering project which will ultimately link up the whole of the UK with fast, reliable and efficient rail connections.  We want to see High Speed Rail come to Scotland and this is the first essential part of that process.

'What we need to see now from the Westminster Government is a firm commitment and timetable for Scotland's inclusion in the HS2 network.  The Scottish Government have already stated that they are ready to find the resources to build High Speed Rail north of the border, but only when Westminster places resources in place to build a line to the border on the English side.  It is time for our two Governments to work in partnership.

High Speed Rail makes more economic sense the further north it comes.  We're over the first hurdle and now it is time to grasp the big rewards that High Speed Rail can bring to Scotland and the rest of the UK.'

IAG, the company that own British Airways, have today announced that they have reached a binding agreement to buy competitor carrier BMI from Lufthansa.

Following the announcement, Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive Liz Cameron commented:

'Air connectivity is hugely important to the Scottish economy and to our businesses' capacity.  There needs to be confidence that this takeover is not going to be to Scotland's detriment in terms of either capacity or prices. IAG have committed to 'maintain a comprehensive domestic schedule' and this is welcome.

'This announcement is just the beginning of a process which still has a long way to go in terms of regulatory assessment, including competition clearance. IAG must continue to assure businesses of their commitment to maintaining or improving connectivity to and from Scotland.'

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce have welcomed the publication of Mary Portas's report on high streets, and the ensuing media and political debate.

Liz Cameron, Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive, commented:

'Chambers of Commerce know better than most how important our high streets are to our towns and communities. The businesses that make up Chambers of commerce memberships across Scotland are the businesses that are at the heart of communities; they see each day the problems that arise from dying high streets.

'We therefore welcome the attention that this report draws to the issues our members tackle on a daily basis. While most of the recommendation apply mainly to England, they and the background commentary provide important food for thought for Scottish policy makers.

'Scottish Chambers of Commerce have identified town centre regeneration as a key policy priority for 2012. We are establishing an expert group of business leaders with direct experience of the issues to generate practical solutions to improve our communities, recognising the key role that local businesses play in creating safe, pleasant, active and vibrant high streets in Scotland's towns.'