Kate Forbes wants to turbo-charge economic growth if elected leader
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SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes has promised to reset relationships with business and sort out the controversial Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) if she is elected party leader.
Though a supporter of the scheme in principle, the 32-year-old said that genuine and well-evidenced concerns from hundreds of businesses had to be addressed if it were to be successfully implemented.
The intervention comes ahead of tomorrow’s deadline for firms to complete the registration process with Circularity Scotland or be excluded from the scheme.
Speaking at the Cairngorm Brewery in Aviemore, Kate Forbes said: “The Deposit Return Scheme is an example of a good idea badly executed. If we want a stronger economy, we need to get better at delivering good ideas well.
“In this contest, businesses want to see competent leadership. They want a leader who will listen, and actually deliver change."
A poll of Scottish voters put the Highland MSP ahead for leadership rivals despite the launch of her campaign being rocked by criticism of her views on social issues.
On Friday, it was confirmed she was among a trio of candidates alongside health secretary Humza Yousaf and former minister Ash Regan.
The Panelbase poll showed 23 per cent of respondents preferred finance secretary Ms Forbes to be the next First Minister, while 15 per cent went for Mr Yousaf and seven per cent chose Ms Regan. Almost half – 49 per cent – of the 1026 people asked between February 21 and 24 responded "don't know".
