Business leaders call for more powers and funding for the Capital
Plus: Fifth city stabbing in four weeks; Scotland's first decarbonised college campus; and Hearts and house sparrows top of the league
Fairer funding and devolved economic powers - the business case for Edinburgh
Chamber of Commerce leads charge to make Scottish Election “generate momentum” in growing our economy
The case for a fairer level of Scottish Government funding for Edinburgh has been raised as a key issue by the city’s business community ahead of the May election.
In a policy paper being sent to all parties and candidates, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is calling for devolution of economic powers and has also asked for a better funding settlement for Scotland’s Capital – and its city region.
The Chamber argues that with the city region responsible for the biggest single proportion of Scotland’s economic growth, also set to drive most of the nation’s population growth, any incoming administration should accept that “When Edinburgh succeeds, Scotland succeeds.”
An integral part of that will be “fairer funding for Scotland’s Capital” they argue, with the Scottish Government’s own figures showing that Edinburgh is the lowest funded council per capita in the country.
Do we need fairer deal?
Absolutely, and the Inquirer has reported on the inequity of funding several times in terms of our public services.
The city council’s Finance and Resources Committee considered a report based on Accounts Commission figures which council officials said showed that Edinburgh remained the lowest funded per capita local authority in Scotland. Had it been funded at even the Scottish average rate, councillors said, the city would have been £280 million better off.
NHS Lothian, which covers most of the city region as well as providing both regional and national treatment centres, remains the lowest funded NHS area per capita in Scotland. NHS Lothian’s own figures pointed to a £150 million gap in monies it should have received over the past few years alone, compared to funding it should have received if the Government had simply paid what the area is entitled to under the Government’s own needs-based NRAC formula.
The long-term impact of health under-funding is also something we have highlighted.
What is the Chamber asking for?
The Chamber is, naturally, focused on the economy of the region. Its policy paper maintains the devolution of regional economic powers, properly funded with the city able to retain more of the revenue it generates through, for example, business rates, would encourage better decision-making around investment in infrastructure, connectivity, housing, skills and innovation.
In the paper, Chamber Chief Executive Liz McAreavey says: “As our capital city, and a global hub for finance, technology, education and culture, Edinburgh and our wider City Region is one of the principal engines of the Scottish economy. By fuelling its continued growth — investing in connectivity, housing, skills, innovation spaces and international competitiveness — we do not concentrate opportunity in one place; we generate momentum that benefits every region.”
The Chamber also points out that, as the nation’s Capital, Edinburgh faces unique pressures – from housing demand to higher living and business costs, that need to be recognised.
On Non-Domestic (business) Rates the Chamber wants a future Govenrment to allow Local Authorities to retain 100% of NDR growth either entirely “or above an agreed baseline level for a defined period of time, with reinvestment channeled into economic development, business support, infrastructure and skills.”
How vital is more regional and local decision-making?
This is a key element for the Chamber, and while they point to the impact on infrastructure and investment of regional decision-making in Mayoral authorities in England, such as Greater Manchester, the Chamber is not necessarily advocating mayoral structure, bur rather than need for more regional control.
Policy Director Joanne Davidson said: “We’ve got a great example of how the local authorities work in collaboration in Edinburgh through the City Region Deal. What we’ve not been able to do in our City Region is to take that structure and enable it to deliver other elements of economic policy.”
A note of caution
Former council leader Donald Anderson, now a businessman and consultant in the city, has warned in recent days against politicians taking the continued success of Scotland’s Capital for granted. He described the success as “hard won” and added: “With Rachel Reeves’ landmark move to give English city regions access to tax revenues, and with English city regions securing huge financial and policy backing, we do need to keep raising our game.”
Don’t miss Tuesday’s Inquirer for an in-depth look at one of the most intriguing and significant contests of the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections: Inside the battle for Edinburgh Central.
YOUR EDINBURGH BRIEFING
HISTORY CALLING? After another dramatic sporting weekend, Hearts remain on course for their first league title in 66 years (and the first by anyone except Celtic or Rangers in 41 years). The premier league now splits into top and bottom six for a final round of five fixtures with Heart a point clear at the top of the table. Every team who has been top of the pile at this stage since 2009 has gone on to win the championship… Meanwhile, Hearts Women are aiming to make it a double after moving top of the women’s premier league.
FIFTH STABBING: A man has been taken to hospital after a stabbing in Nicolson Street at about 7.20pm on Friday. A 23-year-old man has been charged and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today. It is at least the fifth serious stabbing in the last four weeks in the Capital. (More on the background here: Edinburgh’s knife crime problem)
BIRDWATCH: The humble house sparrow remained the most commonly spotted bird in the Capital in the RSBPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch 2026, followed by the wood pigeon, blue tit, blackbird and magpie. Across Scotland, blue tit, coal tit and great tit sightings are becoming more common in gardens, with goldfinches and robins less frequent. The RSPB has updated its feeding advice, urging householders to take down their garden feeders at the end of the month, to help prevent the spread of avian diseases.
FESTIVAL PROTEST: Edinburgh International Festival has accused pro-Palestine protesters who spray-painted signs promoting the festival outside its headquarters, the Hub on the Royal Mile, of "crossing a line". Festival organisers have reported the graffiti by the Art Workers for Palestine protest group to the police.
CAR FACTORY HOMES: Work to convert the UK’s first purpose-built car factory into housing can go-ahead after developers signed an agreement with the city council to contribute £50,000 towards active travel and transport infrastructure. Social housing charity Lar Housing Trust will convert the buildings in Granton into 28 townhouses.
DECARBONISED COLLEGE: Edinburgh College has become the first college in Scotland to completely decarbonise one of its campuses. The gas heating system at its Midlothian Campus, in Eskbank, Dalkeith, has been replaced with an air source heat pump, which, together with other improvements, will reduce carbon emissions by more than 100 tonnes annually.
CLUB SUES OVER FLOODS: Old Town nightclub Cabaret Voltaire is suing Scottish Water for £500,000 in damages after being forced to close due to flooding dozens of times. Owners Scotsman Hospitality say the underground venue has suffered “serious and ongoing” damage following a burst water main in the road above it in 2024. Scottish Water says it has prioritised remedial work which it was in the process of completing.
HOSPITAL BUS ATTACK: Eight youths have been charged following an attack on a Lothians bus driver during a disturbance outside the Royal Infirmary at around 7pm on Sunday, 5 April.
SECOND HOME TAX PAUSE: A quadrupling of council tax for second homes in Edinburgh has been put on hold for six months following lawyers’ advice to the local authority. The planned increase has been paused while the council examines the impact of the move and potential exemptions. Edinburgh doubled council tax on second homes in 2024, before agreeing to double the rate again from this year.
PEDESTRIAN CRITICAL: A 49-year-old man is fighting for his life after being hit by the driver of a blue MG HS on Chesser Avenue in the early hours of Saturday morning. Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident which happened at around 20 minutes past midnight.
Pic of the week
THE BUSINESS
WE’RE ON RIGHT TRACKS: One of our guest writers, award-winning engineer Corey Boyle, has been invited to present to a Tram Trains for Edinburgh group in Newington next week. Corey’s look at the potential offered by reopening the rail line through the south of the city proved popular with our readers. The event looks set to be popular with the local community, with more than 200 tickets booked so far.
Corey has also written for us on how to tackle congestion in the city, and how a superfast rail link – no matter how unlikely – could transform the Capital’s future.
HOME HELP: Housebuilder Miller Homes is inviting local groups and causes keen to make a mark on the local communities near its Edinburgh developments West Craigs Manor, Edgelaw View, and West Craigs Mews to apply for the first round of its Community Fund in 2026. Applications close on 29 April.
CREATIVITY CELEBRATED: The Marketing Society Scotland has announced that entries to this year’s Star Awards have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, marking the biggest year on record. The society maintains it demonstrates the sector’s “strong resilience” with record levels of creative output and campaign activity.
ETHICAL FINANCE BOOST: More than 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the Edinburgh Finance Festival from June 8 to 20, which kicks off with the Ethical Finance Global Summit on June 18 at Edinburgh’s Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa. Organisers the Global Ethical Finance Initiative say the events over the course of the festival will bring a £1 million boost to the Scottish economy.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
RECORD SHOPPING: VoxBox Music has once again hired St Vincent’s Chapel in Stockbridge to celebrate Record Store Day on Saturday, as well as its own 15th birthday. There will be a pop-up record shop, licensed bar and live music from 11am to 6pm, featuring acts including Kathryn Joseph and Meursault. Assai Records, Ilium, Avalanche Records, Thorne Records, and Underground Solu'shn are all also taking part in Record Store Day.
SPORTING HISTORY: Be part of history, as Scotland take on world champions England at Murrayfield Stadium in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations Rugby on Saturday. The 25,000-plus crowd will be the biggest ever for a standalone women’s sports event in Scotland. With entertainment in and around the stadium, the clash of the Auld Enemies promises to be a great family day out.
CELLULAR ART: The work of more than 20 Edinburgh artists and makers will be showcased in the Cellular Exhibition opening at Leith’s Out of the Blue Drill Hall tomorrow. Award-winning painter Daniel Murray and Amanda McGrattan, founder of Leith Jewellery Studios, are among the featured artists. Entry is free and the exhibition is open daily 10am-5pm until 24 April.
QUICK BITES
COTTAGE GARDEN: A park venue has reopened as a dining destination. The Cottage at Royal Terrace Gardens is reopening on Friday, 1 May, as an intimate, seasonal restaurant. It was last open as The Gardener’s Cottage.
COFFEE IS SERVED: Carter Coffee opens this week at its venue in Bonnington. For the first six weeks the premises at 4 Fyfe Lanewill be takeaway only.