Scottish Conservative MSP Brian Whittle is backing his party’s plans to “Power up Scotland” and kick-start the local economy.
Brian says the wide-ranging plan for jobs and economic growth, unveiled by the party’s leader, Douglas Ross, can help re-energise communities across South Scotland by moving decision-making powers away from Ministers in Edinburgh and towards communities.
Among the ideas in the plan are suggestions for job security councils, which could support more people into employment in key local industries like agriculture, tourism or engineering, new rural growth deals and funding to explore re-opening old railway lines.
There are also proposals to create new vocational schools and foundation apprenticeships, and pay for every S4 pupil in Scotland to have a week long paid internship, so young people have the time and opportunity to develop the skills they need for the future world of work.
According to Brian, the plans show how the Scottish Conservatives are determined to move forward from the divisions of the past and focus on re-energising the economy and improving Scotland’s key services like education and health.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“This plan to Power up Scotland is full of ambitious, positive policies to get Scotland’s economy growing again and drive our recovery from the pandemic.
Protecting existing jobs and creating new ones must be a top priority and the ideas in this blueprint set out a practical, positive way forward.
The challenges facing our economy vary across Scotland and it makes sense to think more locally about how we deal with them. Moving decision-making powers closer to communities makes it easier for regions to tailor responses and get support where it’s needed most.
Scottish politics has spent too much time in recent years fixated on constitutional issues. Now, more than ever before, we must put our focus on how the future of our economy and other fundamental issues like health and education.”
