DMA Scotland meeting with Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Brexit, Michael Russell MSP

This Morning, DMA Scotland Chairman, Firas Khnaisser, and external affairs executive, Michael Sturrock, went to the Scottish Parliament to meet Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations, Michael Russell MSP, to discuss Brexit and the impact on our industry and the exciting work DMA Scotland is doing.

As the Cabinet Secretary with remit over Brexit, Michael Russell was very keen to hear about how the DMA is helping members prepare for the tough times ahead.

The DMA endorses Theresa May’s Brexit deal as, at present, it is the only option (short of remaining in the EU) which makes adequate provisions for the free-flow of data. Nonetheless, given the uncertainty over whether this will pass, the DMA continues to prepare contingency recommendations for all outcomes so that our members are best prepared for all eventualities.

The DMA is working to produce contingency planning resources for all Brexit outcomes and we look forward to lending our thoughts to the Scottish Government's reports on Brexit’s impact on othe economy.

In Scotland, there is a particular emphasis on the necessity for skilled immigration. The Scottish Government are keen to endorse a policy which allows for the greatest possible amount of movement for EU workers to come to Scotland.

The current proposed withdrawal agreement stipulates that EU citizens will not benefit from current policies which allow a greater number of EU citizens to live and work in the UK than from outside the EU. As such, the number of workers coming from the EU will decline.

Advertising Association research found that, outside the US, the most talent for the data and marketing industry comes from the EU countries. Similarly, Damien Collins of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee argued that if the UK is to remain a global leader in the creative industries, it must continue to attract the best talent from around the world.

The DMA is keen to work with all governmental stakeholders to develop policy that will aid the data and marketing sector to attract the talent that can fill the growing number of vacant roles in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

DMA Scotland is also working on exciting projects around the value of data. In conjunction with the Scottish and UK Governments’ and Edinburgh University, we are working to deliver on the research that aims to make Edinburgh and Scotland the data capital of Europe.

While Brexit poses challenges to this, we are confident this world-leading research will continue to keep Scotland’s innovative data and tech industry at the very top. As such, in December, we will be meeting the Scottish Digital and Finance Minister, Kate Forbes MSP, to discuss how else the Scottish Government can support this good work.

The DMA continues to work with government all across the UK to represent our members’ interests, particularly at this pivotal time for the economy and constitution. To hear more about our work with government, get in touch with Zach Thornton or Michael Sturrock from the external affairs team.