Deputy First Minister comments on Chancellor’s speech

Commenting on the Chancellor's speech on kickstarting economic growth, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:

“I welcome the Chancellor's attempt to outline an economic plan, after the very legitimate concerns around her approach to growth which have been raised by many since the UK Budget, in particular the damaging decision to raise employers' national insurance contributions.

“However, I am deeply disappointed in the lack of any initiatives which would directly benefit Scotland - especially given our energy expertise, strengths in new technologies like space and AI, world-leading universities and colleges, highly skilled workforce and our reputation as a world-class entrepreneurial nation.

“For instance, there is no mention of Grangemouth and I am concerned that UK Government investment is being further concentrated in prosperous areas in the South East of England and around Oxford and Cambridge. This will deepen concerns that Scotland is being treated as an afterthought by this UK Government.

“The Scottish Government is focused on delivering economic growth and jobs. For example, we are committing up to £500 million over five years to boost private investment in the offshore wind supply chain by up to £1.5 billion, while this week the First Minister signed an agreement with the City of London Corporation to bolster Scotland's finance sector and secure further investment.”