SNP Leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has set out the actions a re-elected SNP Government will take to boost Scotland’s economy, promising a ‘relentless focus’ on innovation and productivity to create more, better paid jobs.
The SNP Government will focus firmly on four key pillars of our economic strategy - maximising investment in infrastructure and skills, driving innovation, boosting exports and promoting more inclusive growth.
Ms Sturgeon made the pledge after visiting Ferguson’s shipyard in Port Glasgow, which the SNP helped save by securing new investment and whose production of hybrid ferries has been hailed as a prime example of Scottish industry using new and innovative technology.
The SNP Government’s investment in the new hybrid ferries has enabled the shipyard to hire more employees and expand the shipyard.
Key aspects of the SNP’s plan to boost the economy announced today include:
• New support to help businesses scale up and expand • Launching a new Innovation Prize, with an annual award for the project that is most effective in turning new ideas into new businesses, jobs and growth • A new educational programme targeted at developing entrepreneurial skills within the workplace • Investing in apprenticeships and support for young people to get into work • Tripling the number of export advisors in Scotland, funding new Innovation and Investment Hubs in London, Dublin and Brussels to attract inward investment and help companies and academia access new markets and investors
Commenting, Ms Sturgeon said:
“Scotland’s economy has strong foundations, with employment outstripping the rest of the UK, inward investment levels growing and exports increasing. We are determined to build on the progress made in recent years and go further in boosting our economy and creating more and better jobs.
“One of the key ways we can continue to improve our economic performance is by working to incentivise innovation and boost our productivity and a re-elected SNP Government will put in place a series of ambitious plans to ensure our economy is able to meet its full potential.
“This election is about who will ensure our economy is fit for the challenges of the future and keep the country moving forward. If re-elected as First Minister, I pledge that a government I lead will use every power at our disposal to boost our economy and create more and better jobs here in Scotland.”
