EDINBURGH’S business leaders have penned an open letter calling on politicians to grant further economic powers and autonomy to Edinburgh ahead of the upcoming Holyrood Election.
The 850-plus members of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce say they have seen businesses struggle and fail because of rising costs and an economy “that is not delivering to its full potential”.
One of their major asks is that the incoming Scottish Government grant Edinburgh and Southeast Scotland greater economic autonomy, so businesses and local policymakers can react to “the unique economic strengths, challenges and opportunities of Edinburgh”.
The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce claimed in their letter “When Edinburgh succeeds, Scotland succeeds”.
The capital’s business leaders say that Edinburgh could benefit from enhanced autonomy and targeted investment (C) (C) Edinburgh Cityscapes / Wikimedia Commons
They believe that, when granted further autonomy, Edinburgh could serve Scotland’s economic engine, blazing a trail for the rest of the country.
This would be achieved by localised, “targeted investment in infrastructure, housing, skills, innovation and priority industry sectors that drive productivity and inclusive growth”.
The Chamber also called for local authorities local authorities to retain 100% of Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) growth, so that councils have a real incentive to back economic development.
Currently all business rates revenue collected by the council is sent to the government, pooled, and redistrbuted by Holyrood, in contrast to the 50% rates retention councils in England allow.
The chamber was also inspired by centralisation and devolution enjoyed by the Mayoral Combined Authority areas in Greater Manchester and Liverpool and the London assembly.
In their statement, they said: “Greater Manchester has piloted 100% business rates retention, allowing locally – generated revenue growth to be reinvested in housing, transport and regeneration.
“And in London, business rate growth has helped support major infrastructure such as the Elizabeth Line.”
Another primary concern of the Chamber of Commerce is securing Edinburgh’s labour supply and education.
Citing, labour shortages across technology, construction, hospitality, and health and social care, they call for “a more flexible regional approach to migration would help retain global talent trained in Scotland and address sector specific workforce gaps”.
The statement goes on to advocate for:
Devolved, tailored migration routes – drawing on Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program as a model – so that Edinburgh can retain internationally trained graduates who currently leave due to salary thresholds or visa limits.
Employer-led regional skills planning, modelled on England’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) framework, placing businesses at the centre of identifying gaps and shaping training provision.
Reform of tertiary education funding following the recent Tertiary Education and Training (Scotland) Bill, including longer-term sustainable funding for regional programmes.
Greater parity of esteem for vocational and technical qualifications alongside academic routes
On infrastructure investment, The Chamber of Cimmerce calls for commitment to eight specific priority projects for the Edinburgh city region, including: Edinburgh’s Bio-Quarter, The Forth Green Freeport, Edinburgh Tram Extension, Waverley Station Masterplan, Granton Waterfront Development, West Edinburgh Development and the WETIP transport plan, A Next Generation City Region Deal, Affordable housing provision across the region.
They also took aim at the planning statement, calling for fast-track strategic planning for nationally significant developments like housing, data centres, and renewables.
Planning delays, they argue, don’t just slow development, they redirect capital to faster-moving international markets.
Finally, on Edinburgh’s digital and innovation economy, they called for A funded cyber security awareness programme and targeted AI adoption support.
In a joint statement introducing their policy paper, Liz Mcareavey and Joanne Davidson, of The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have one clear ask of the next Scottish Government above all others: match the economic ambition of Scotland’s business community.
“Be brave enough to recognise business as a force for good, a partner that understands its responsibilities and is ready to play its part in delivering opportunity, innovation and good growth.
“Responsible profit is not the enemy of progress — it sustains jobs, helps alleviate poverty, funds innovation and underpins the public services on which we all rely.
“Good economic growth is essential; it is the foundation upon which world-class healthcare, education and social care provision is built.
“We urge the incoming administration to choose a future defined by renewed ambition, one that recognises economic growth as an engine of opportunity.
“By backing Edinburgh’s continued success as a globally competitive capital, investing in the infrastructure and skills that power innovation, and working in genuine partnership with business, government can unlock benefits that extend far beyond the city’s boundaries.”
The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce represents more 850 partners across 30-plus sectors.
The businesses that make up the chamber employ a combined 950,000 people nationwide.
Ross Chalmers is a journalist focusing on local Edinburgh news, transport, the environment, the arts, and housing.
He graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a degree in journalism in Summer 2025 and began working at Deadline News as a reporter in August.
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