SNP admits trumpeted growth hub is 'nothing but a website'
An SNP project to create a “hub” to boost growth across the country has been branded a sham – after it emerged it will only take the form of a website.
Economy secretary Keith Brown announced the Centre for Regional Inclusive Growth in November, saying it would “help to support our policy initiatives on regional partnerships, city deals and city region deals”.
The centre would also “provide a platform” to share local and national data, he said, and bring partners together to provide expert views.
He was then asked by shadow economy secretary Dean Lockhart when the centre would be operational, where in Scotland it would be based, and how many staff it would employ.
But in response, Mr Brown conceded the centre would in fact be “primarily a virtual hub”.
And instead of investing in new resources and staff, he said: “It will draw on existing capacity and expertise.”
The Scottish Conservatives have criticised the move, saying it’s more evidence of an SNP government which doesn’t do enough for the business community.
Scottish Conservative shadow economy secretary Dean Lockhart said:
“When announcing this scheme, anyone listening would have thought the plan was to create a proper base, get some investment in and hire specialist staff.
“Instead, the Scottish Government is basically setting up a website, and that’s it.
“It’s no wonder the business community doesn’t feel it can count on the SNP to provide the help and support it so badly needs at the moment.
“This would have been a great opportunity to provide something tangible that would have helped regional growth right across the country.
“Instead, the nationalists have put their head together and come up with nothing but a website.”