The Scottish Conservatives would boost Scotland’s struggling economy by subjecting every government policy to a “growth test”.
The party says economic growth must be the number one objective for the next Scottish Government and that every proposal should be viewed through that lens.
It’s part of a package of pro-business policies in the Scottish Conservative manifesto, which also includes a commitment to withdraw from Nicola Sturgeon’s “woke and damaging” Wellbeing Economy Alliance.
Other measures in the manifesto include:
- Simplifying Scotland’s complex business and skills quango landscape by merging Scottish Enterprise, Scottish National Investment Bank and Skills Development Scotland into a new agency called Growth Scotland.
- Creating a Scottish Growth Fund for businesses worth at least half a billion pounds a year by pooling the capital currently available to these quangos into one pot.
- Establishing a dedicated exports support division within Growth Scotland to help businesses sell to the rest of the UK and the world.
The Scottish Conservatives have previously pledged to cap business rates rises – to prevent the devastating increases many are currently facing under the SNP.
Shadow business secretary Murdo Fraser said that these commitments, coupled with the new manifesto package, marked out the Scottish Conservatives as the party of business and growth.
Scottish Conservative shadow business secretary Murdo Fraser said: “Scotland’s economy has stagnated for years under the dead hand of SNP high taxes and regulation.
“That has to end. The next Scottish Government must focus relentlessly on the economy – and that’s why we’d subject every new policy to a growth test.
“The Scottish Conservatives would leave Nicola Sturgeon’s woke and damaging Wellbeing Economy Alliance, and focus unapologetically and unremittingly on policies that stimulate growth and create jobs.
“That means providing relief for businesses that have been clobbered by SNP taxes but also simplifying the landscape by merging existing quangos into one agency, Growth Scotland, and providing targeted advice and support for exporters.
“Scottish firms are crying out for help and, as the party of business, the Scottish Conservatives have their back and the back of the hard-working Scots they employ.
“That’s why it’s essential that voters use their peach ballot to back us and stop an SNP majority.”
Notes to editors
The relevant sections in the manifesto:
Make economic growth the number one policy objective across all areas of the Scottish Government. Every single proposal that comes from the Scottish Government should be assessed against whether it achieves more economic growth for Scotland. This would ensure better coordination across the whole of government.
Exit Nicola Sturgeon’s ‘Wellbeing Economy Alliance’. This anti-growth group – of which the Scottish Government is still a member – suggests that economic growth in and of itself is a bad thing. This attitude has infected the whole of the Scottish Government and must be put to an end if we are to make economic growth a priority.
Simplify Scotland’s complex business and skills quango landscape by merging the bodies into a new one called Growth Scotland. There are too many quangos in Scotland focused on businesses and skills when it would be easier for businesses if they had a one-stop shop to go to if they need assistance from the government or its agencies. Therefore, we would merge Scottish Enterprise, Scottish National Investment Bank and Skills Development Scotland into Growth Scotland.
Establish the Scottish Growth Fund for businesses worth at least half a billion pounds a year. Through merging the existing pools of capital available to the aforementioned quangos, we would create a single pot of capital to make it easier for businesses to know where to go for funding.
Establish a dedicated exports support division within Growth Scotland to facilitate the sale of Scottish products to the rest of the UK and the world. Exports are a fantastic way for businesses to expand, to grow our economy and attract new jobs. As our newly created national enterprise agency, Growth Scotland would have a dedicated exports division that would be tasked with helping businesses in our country sell their products in the rest of the UK and abroad.