Scottish First Minister has today set out his
commitment to continue working with the business community to
grow Scotland's economy, during a speech to the Confederation of
British Industry (CBI).
Speaking at an event to mark the CBI's
60th anniversary, Mr Swinney also called on their
representatives to join the mission to deliver a Scottish
Graduate Visa and retain top talent in Scotland.
First Minister said:
“Scotland consistently ranks as the UK's top investment
destination outside of London and the South East of England. We
have significant offshore renewables resources, and we're ranked
first amongst the UK's nations and regions for green growth
potential and opportunity.
“There are many reasons to be optimistic about Scotland's
economic potential and Scotland's economic performance, but
there's also a need to be realistic about the challenges and the
issues that the business community and the Scottish economy faces
at this time.
“Since I came into office, I've set out a clear and focused
agenda for the government around eradicating child poverty, about
supporting the transition to Net Zero, about improving our public
services, and particularly our National Health Service, which are
fundamentally anchored on delivering higher levels of economic
growth within Scotland, because we cannot hope to achieve our
objectives on Net Zero, or on eradicating child poverty, or on
improving our public services without generating the wealth that
is going to be at the heart of future success for our country.”
He added:
“We have to act to take steps to boost the working age population
in Scotland. The proposals I've put forward around a dedicated
Scottish graduate visa where we enable international students who
come to Scotland to be able to develop longer routes and stay for
a longer period, will help to encourage the growth of our working
age population and also to boost economic activity within
Scotland.
“And we pursue those proposals with the United Kingdom Government
because for Scotland, measures of that type are critical, mission
critical, for enabling us to fulfil our growth ambitions and your
support in persuading the UK Government within that step would be
enormously welcome.”
Background
First Minister's address
to the CBI
Scottish Graduate Visa
proposed - gov.scot
