Consultation on a new Enterprise Agency for the South of Scotland

We asked for views on a new enterprise agency for the South of Scotland. We held a public consultation, which was open for 12 weeks from 15 March 2018. During this period we also worked with the South of Scotland Economic Partnership to hold a series of 26 public events across the South of Scotland, where people could share their views and ask questions about the Government’s proposals.

We received a total of 268 responses to the public consultation. 153 came from individuals (57%) and 115 from organisations (43%).  Most responses were supportive of our plans to create a new enterprise agency in the South, and for the Scottish Government’s vision for the South of Scotland.  We also received many suggestions about areas of priority and focus for the new agency, including infrastructure, good employment opportunities, the creation of a skilled workforce, and more opportunities for young people.

We commissioned an independent analysis of the consultation responses, including views gathered during the 26 public events.  You can read this at https://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/10/9556.

The Scottish Government will be introducing legislation to create the new enterprise agency in the coming months.  The responses are being carefully considered to help inform the content of the legislation and shape the structure of the new body.