Hyslop Welcomes Government Economic Strategy Launch in Linlithgow
Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the First Minister’s visit to Linlithgow this week (Tuesday morning) to launch the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy. Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister, launched the new Economic Strategy at Calnex Solutions Orcale Campus in Linlithgow on Tuesday, 03 March 2015.
Commenting, Fiona said;
“I am delighted that the First Minister chose Linlithgow to launch the Government’s Economic Strategy.
“The Scottish Government wants to create a stable and balanced economy that is outward looking, confident, innovative, based on the core strengths of our people and supported by investment.
“The Government’s economy strategy quite rightly puts equality at the heart of our economy and to announce this in a town with a strong local economy with community values and equality at its core, is very fitting.”
ENDS
For editor’s info:
The strategy provides a plan for all of Scotland and focuses on four main themes – Investing in our people, Innovation, Inclusive Growth and Internationalisation.
• Investing in our people, infrastructure and assets through
• preparing young people for employment through widening access to higher education and extending a wide range of high quality learning through the implementation of Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce;
• the establishment of a Scottish Business Development Bank to work directly with small and medium-sized enterprises and the financial markets to support businesses with high growth potential in Scotland;
• providing £10 million in 2015-16 through the Local Energy Investment Fund to invest on behalf of communities in commercial renewables schemes; and
• publishing a refresh of Scotland’s Oil and Gas Strategy, which will have a strong focus on the structure and capability of Scotland’s oil and gas supply chain.
• We will foster a culture of Innovation by:
• establishing a new Ministerial-led Innovation Forum;
• supporting the network of Innovation Centres to apply knowledge and innovation from our academic research base into business;
• piloting Innovation and Investment Hubs at key global locations.
• Promoting innovation in the public sector which can support the economy.
• We will promote Inclusive Growth through:
• driving forward improvements in educational outcomes in Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities with an Attainment Scotland Fund of £100 million;
• establishment of a Fair Work Convention to draw on best practise and facilitate a joint approach with our partners;
• support for a more diverse workforce by removing barriers to employment – for example, lack of childcare or support for caring responsibilities; and
• introducing the Scottish Business Pledge, which aims to develop a partnership between the Scottish Government and businesses.
• To enable Scotland to take advantage of International opportunities we will:
• develop a new Trade and Investment Strategy; and
• establish One Scotland Partnerships, which will set clear trade and innovation goals for specific international markets and ensure that activity is co-ordinated to maximise impact and make the best use of resources.
• publish an updated International Framework, which will set the context for how the Government, its Agencies and Public Bodies engage externally to promote Scotland – its economy and broader interests – and influence the world around us;