Scottish Conservatives set up new expert group to look at growth
The Scottish Conservatives are today underlining their ambitions for Scotland by announcing the creation of a major new independent economic body to set out fresh thinking on future growth.
Comprising some of Scotland’s pre-eminent figures in commerce, industry and academia, the Scottish Future Growth Council will advise the party on key economic issues – such as how to solve the country’s “productivity puzzle”.
The group will be chaired by former Scotland Office Minister Lord Dunlop who, in his time in government, pioneered the successful City Deal plans across Scotland.
The unveiling of the group comes as new figures have demonstrated Scotland is lagging behind the UK on business growth.
They show the number of new businesses in Scotland grew by just 1.6 per cent last year, the lowest in the UK.
That compares to a UK average of 4.5 per cent.
Announcing the group today, Lord Dunlop said he hoped it would deliver fresh ideas to help make Scotland “the best part of the UK to do business.”
The group’s reports will assist the Scottish Conservatives’ on-going policy review set up following the General Election of this year.
Shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said the formation of the group demonstrated the party’s intent to provide a credible alternative to the SNP, ready to take over in Government in 2021.
The new group will work independently of the Scottish Conservatives and will focus specifically on devolved policy-making, and ways in which Scottish Government policy can boost Scotland’s performance.
Lord Dunlop said:
“I am delighted to accept Ruth's invitation to chair this exciting new venture.
“Scotland has world leading expertise in our universities, a competitive edge in sectors such as life science and oil and gas, and is one of the best places to live and work in the world.
“Scotland has what it takes, we now just need to make more of our potential.
“So our new group's mission will be to come up with positive and imaginative new ideas for our devolved parliament with the aim of boosting Scottish growth.
“The group includes some of the country’s leading figures from business, academia and industry who have dedicated their lives to creating a more prosperous Scotland. We will report back regularly ahead of the 2021 election and pushing the debate forward.
“While the group has been set up by the Scottish Conservatives, we will work independently of party with the aim of influencing the wider political debate.
“The challenge is urgent. Scottish public spending is now more reliant than ever on our own economic growth.
“And if we don’t keep the economy moving forward, we won’t have the money to pay for vital public services. Our purpose is to show how Scotland can become the best part of the UK to do business, and so deliver the growing tax revenues upon which our schools and hospitals rely.”
Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said:
“Having gone from being the third party of Scottish politics to now looking to challenge the SNP to be in government, the Scottish Conservatives are looking to expand our policy offer in advance of the next Scottish elections.
“We are delighted to have assembled such an impressive team of business leaders and economists to advise us on economic and financial matters, under Andrew Dunlop’s leadership. This demonstrates the scale of our ambition.
“With productivity being a key issue for the Scottish economy, we have asked this group to look first at this important area, and come back with suggestions on how productivity can be improved.
“I am sure that their conclusions will be of interest to everyone who wants to see our economy improve.”