The UK Government is facing a demand for an "urgent review" of what the new SNP Westminster leader describes as "anti-business policies", with Dave Doogan insisting measures such as the increase in employers' national insurance contributions should be "scrapped as soon as possible".
Mr Doogan made the call as he pledged to be an "unashamedly pro-business voice in the UK Parliament", speaking after taking on the role following his predecessor Stephen Flynn's election as an MSP in the recent Scottish Parliament election.
The SNP MP argued that "damaging Labour government policies", including the rise in employers' national insurance charges and the "punitive tax regime" in the North Sea, are "hammering businesses and destroying thousands of Scottish jobs". He stated: "They must be urgently reviewed – and scrapped as soon as possible."
Contending that Labour's policies are "destroying jobs, squeezing wages, increasing prices and harming investment across Scotland and the UK", Mr Doogan vowed: "As the SNP's Westminster leader, I will be an unashamedly pro-business voice in the UK Parliament – championing support for our business community to create good local jobs, boost people's wages, deliver investment in our communities and bring wealth back into our economy."
He emphasised that "family businesses, and key industries, are at the beating heart of our communities – from the corner shop and local pub, to farming and fishing, and Scotland's crucial energy sector."
Mr Doogan noted that "Britain's broken economy still hasn't revived from the 2008 financial crash", with the UK experiencing "20 years of stagnation" marked by "poor wages, rising living costs, flatlining economic growth, low productivity and the self-inflicted disaster of Brexit".
Citing official figures showing the UK's unemployment rate at 4.9%, compared with 4.2% when Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government came to power in 2024, Mr Doogan said joblessness had risen to a five-year high under Labour. He added that while job vacancies had "collapsed", the cost of living had "soared" simultaneously, with UK economic growth "downgraded and public finances deteriorated".
Mr Doogan insisted: "That is a direct consequence of the Labour government's damaging policies and its failure to respond to the challenges we face. There are already 300,000 more unemployed people since the Labour Party got into power – and there are credible warnings that another quarter of a million could lose their jobs in the next year if they don't act."
He continued: "Many good businesses across Scotland and the UK are struggling because of the hostile business environment the UK Government is creating. The national insurance tax hike not only broke a Labour Party election pledge but it has also meant fewer jobs, less investment and inevitable price rises as increased costs are passed on to consumers."
The SNP MP vowed: "I will press the UK government for real action to support businesses now, while making the case that the past 20 years of Westminster failure shows why Scotland needs the full powers and fresh start of independence."
Scottish Labour finance spokesperson Michael Marra responded: "Dave Doogan and the SNP have a real brass neck to be making such claims about the UK Government when their own ministers at Holyrood have such a poor record in supporting businesses in Scotland. From the impact of their hike to business rates, botched policy like the deposit return scheme, and their refusal to support Scotland's hospitality industry, their decisions are taking a real toll on our economy. The SNP must explain what they will do to help businesses in Scotland with the powers they have in Edinburgh, rather than trying to shift the blame elsewhere."
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: "The Budget allowed us to stabilise the economy and deliver support for families and businesses and we are seeing some welcome signs including 332,000 more people in work than a year ago, while the UK was the fastest growing economy in the G7 in the first quarter of this year. We're backing businesses with a £4.3 billion support package to cap business rates, a £4bn access to finance boost for SMEs as well as tough action on late payments and we're backing millions of workers with a recent increase to the minimum wage."
