Business 'Has Nothing To Fear'

Scotland's First Minister has told businesses they have nothing to fear'' from her administration, insisting her radical land reform plans do not represent a form of class warfare.

Nicola Sturgeon said she would be a very strong ally'' for companies of all sizes and wanted to help them grow.

She told the Financial Times (FT): I want them to know that they have got nothing to fear from me.

I am a social democrat, I believe in pursuing greater equality and tackling social justice, but. . . you can't do that unless you have got a strong economy, unless you have got a vibrant business base earning the wealth that makes that possible.''

The interview came less than a week after the new SNP leader promised a radical programme'' of reform so that Scotland's land can bean asset that benefits the many, not the few''.

The proposal is contained in one of 12 bills to be brought before Holyrood in the coming year.

The legislation will include the establishment of a Scottish Land Reform Commission and measures to make information on who owns land and its value more readily available, while business rates exemptions for shooting and deerstalking estates - brought in by the Conservatives in 1994 - will be ended.

The First Minister told the newspaper that land reform is unfinished business'' in Scotland but insisted that responsible landowners should bevalued and respected'' for the contribution they make.

And she said the change to shooting estates' exemptions would raise funds to promote community land ownership.

This is not some kind of class warfare,'' she told the FT.

Ms Sturgeon spoke to the newspaper as she prepared to give her first major economic speech since becoming First Minister.

She will address an audience of business figures at Scottish and Southern Energy in Glasgow - her first speech as First Minister outside of the Scottish Parliament - 11 days after she was formally appointed to the top job.

During the address to more than 70 representatives from Scotland's business community, the First Minister is expected to say she wants Scotland to be an attractive, rewarding and value-creating'' place to base a firm, employ people and grow.

Making three separate points, she will tell the audience: Your success underpins the prosperity and wellbeing of every community in Scotland. It's vital for me and my government to work closely with you to help you succeed - and I intend that we do so. I want to hear your ideas about how we can grow the economy faster and more sustainably and better support you to compete, innovate and export.

My second point is that our drive as a government to tackle inequality in our society is also a key part of our support for business. We believe - in common with many economists across the world - that equality and cohesion are good for growth, as well as good for individuals.

My third point reinforces my first. Creating greater prosperity and fairness isn't something any government can do alone - it has to be a shared national endeavour and I am asking you to be part of it.''