The promise came in Glasgow during an economic vow ahead of the next election — promising to make Scotland “one of the best places to start and grow a business,” should the party form a government. 

In the leader of the opposition’s speech, he blamed governments at both Holyrood and Westminster for failing to deliver economic prosperity to Scotland. 

“[Scotland] has always punched above its weight in terms of innovations and creativity,” said Starmer. “However, the reality is, that great spirit of innovation and creativity is hamstrung by two governments who’ve failed to deliver economic prosperity,” he said.

“Scotland’s genius can deliver opportunity, create highly skilled jobs, and unleash the full potential for everyone who lives on these islands,” said Starmer. 

In response to Starmer’s speech reported by STV news, Mhairi Black, deputy leader of the Scottish National Party said Starmer was happy to throw Scotland under Boris Johnson’s “Brexit bus” — claiming he had zero credibility in talking about Scotland’s economy. 

“Under him and Anas Sarwar, Labour is a pro-Brexit party that would do nothing to reverse the appalling damage the Tories are inflicting on Scotland having dragged us out of the EU,” said Black. “It is clearer by the day that the only way for Scotland to flourish is by becoming an independent country and rejoining the European Union,” she said.

Recommended

• What’s the Latest Data on the Scottish Tech Labour Market?
• Scotland’s First SME-Focused Bank
• Brightsolid Bolsters Tech Team With Two Key Appointments

The Scottish GDP has not improved substantially above its pre-pandemic levels, with Scottish Enterprise recording zero growth in the services sector during 2022. Additionally, Scotland’s unemployment rate currently sits at 3.3%, and falls to 10.5% for men aged 16-24 during the most recent report by the Scottish government.

Starmer promised that if he was voted into power, the Labour party would “unlock the pride and purpose that is in every community.” In Scotland, the party sees investment channeled into high growth, innovative businesses such as the growing renewables sector. Investments could also “turbocharge” spin-out investment at Scotland’s universities according to Starmer. 

The renewables sector aligns with the party’s goal of achieving net-zero, which is the practice of balancing the amount of carbon emissions produced with the amount removed from the atmosphere. The Scottish renewables sector is operational in industries such as wind farming, which adopt the circular economy to refurbish equipment and achieve net-zero in its energy production strategy.