Skilled workers will keep coming to Scotland, says finance chief

The chairman of one of Scotland’s largest fund managers has predicted the country’s cheaper cost of living will still attract skilled workers despite income tax being higher.

Sir Douglas Flint, the chairman of Abrdn, suggested industry concerns about talent attraction and retention have not yet become the type of risk considered by those on the board. Scottish Financial Enterprise, the trade body, recently published research showing 80 per cent of its members are finding it difficult to get senior staff to relocate to Scotland because of the tax divergence.

Executive headhunters have also told of growing numbers of candidates asking for a “Scottish weighting” when negotiating salaries for new roles. Trade bodies from the technology, engineering and hospitality sectors are among those which have also