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First Minister to Go “All Out” to Encourage Investment in Scotland

Thom Carter

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Scotland fintech growth
New Scottish first minister John Swinney will set out his ambitions for Scotland’s economy during a speech in Glasgow this morning, stating he’ll go “all out” to encourage economic investment.

Speaking at the Barclays Campus in Glasgow’s financial district, the first minister will outline his government’s approach to economic policy making.

Mr Swinney will say that poor decision-making at the UK level, typified by Brexit and immigration policy, means the Scottish government must work even harder with its limited powers to help businesses and workers thrive.

The first minister will say that he’s determined to bring hope and optimism, and go “all out” to encourage economic investment in Scotland.

He will say that policy making will be governed by “progressive” values, a partnership approach with unions and businesses, a focus on actions, and problem solving based on evidence.

Speaking ahead of the speech, the first minister said: “My goal is to help people live happier and healthier lives with higher living standards and to help businesses boost profitability.

“The evidence shows that independent countries that are comparable to Scotland are wealthier and fairer than the UK.

“Scotland has the talents and resources to match that performance with independence but in the here and now and in the face of Brexit we must work even harder to help Scotland’s economy with the powers we have.

“I will go all out to encourage investment in Scotland and I will ensure people know my government is a firmly pro-business administration.

“A partnership with trade unions and business will be at the core of my approach and through that approach and given our resources, not least incredible renewable energy, we should look to the future with hope and optimism.”


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Mr Swinney’s recent appointment as first minister comes after an extended period of dismay from the Scots business community regarding the Scottish government.

Last year, the Fraser of Allander Institute’s Scottish Business Monitor report found that just 9% of Scottish companies agreed that the Scottish government understood the business environment in Scotland.

Additionally, only 8% of businesses felt that the Scottish government engaged effectively with their particular sector, further underscoring a disconnect.

However, in a bid to “help business and trade to thrive and maximise the opportunity of the green economy,” ex-first minister Humza Yousaf announced the government’s “New Deal for Business” in 2023.

A New Deal for Businesses Group was then established to “provide a forum for government and business leaders to explore how best to support businesses and communities and to actively work together to achieve common goals, aligning Scottish government policy with business.”

Thom Carter

Staff Writer, DIGIT

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