Brian Pope: Radical thinking is needed to get the economy going

Given the scale of these, a package of measures will be required to stimulate economic growth and to create the jobs in the private sector that are needed to fill the gap resulting from a smaller public sector.

These measures will need to be wide ranging, innovative and sometimes radical.

First, the powers of democracy should be used to motivate and boost productivity. Giving people more say in local and national decisions between elections would provide a greater sense of control and purpose.

This could be achieved by a new online voting system. For instance, public opinion could have gauged on the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, the new Forth Crossing or the Edinburgh tram project.

Creating a more advanced form of democracy would also provide businesses with a unique selling point when attracting international trade and investment.

Other economic measures should include a review of Scottish Planning Policy guidance to ensure that it is having a positive impact on new development. The number of technical reports required at "in principle" planning stage could be reduced. Business rates should be cut by up to 50 per cent for new-build ventures to create more jobs in the commercial sector and a contract created to enable smaller companies to form joint ventures and bid for larger contracts.

Also, tougher planning guidance is required to ensure that large new retail developments do not have a disproportional impact on local independent retailers, while encouraging local communities to take over vacant units for communal or residential use.

Finally, a new public sector secondment unit should be created to enable public sector staff to work in private firms and help reduce redundancies. Implementing a package of economic measures will set a series of small cogs turning in the Scottish economy and thus return it to growth.

• Brian Pope is a Chartered Civil Engineer.