The Importance of Architecture and Placemaking to the Economy of Scotland

That the Parliament recognises the importance of high-quality buildings and places and the vital contribution that they make to Scotland’s economy as well as its cultural identity; acknowledges the importance of sharing skills, vision and practice in design and placemaking and the need to address the effects of climate change, engage communities and develop Scotland's skills base; recognises this, and the previous, administration’s development of architecture, planning and design policies; acknowledges the economic benefit of reusing existing buildings, and calls on the UK Government to reduce VAT for renovations, repairs and home improvements to 5%, which would act as a significant stimulus to the building industry.