Challenges Ahead

'A COUPLE of weeks ago I got a phone call from the Office of the First Minister appointing me to the recently announced Growth Commission. Its task is to review economic policy and propose better ways of encouraging economic growth.

It is a key task. Scotland is a country with extraordinary assets, from its well educated population, to its natural resources. We should be in a much stronger economic position, but for generations we have been stuck with economic policies primarily designed for the south of England and the City of London. We need to do lots and differently, from redesigning the tax system to focusing on exports, from investing in new technologies to encouraging the growth of local small businesses. It is a daunting but exciting challenge.

Brexit

Last Monday SNP MPs were given a private briefing on what is involved in leaving the European Union – so-called Brexit - from a panel of international law and academic experts. It confirmed the complete confusion at the heart of both the Tory Government and Labour Opposition. This is going to be a very complex process with little bargaining power at the disposal of the UK Government. It is therefore no surprise that the Prime Minister is unable to answer any of the questions on the issue put to her by the SNP’s Angus Robertson.

What is essential, is that we do all we can to protect Scotland’s interests. If the UK Government, as seems likely, abandons staying in the single market, it will mean facing extra barriers put in the way of businesses seeking to trade with Europe. That will be to no one’s benefit. I’ll be working with colleagues both in Westminster and Holyrood to try and keep open Scotland’s trading opportunities.

Economic Policy

I spoke recently in the Commons on the rather esoteric topic of Quantitative Easing…basic the policy of pumping billions of pounds of money into the financial system. Leaving aside some of the technicalities, one of the points I made was that the wealthy have become wealthier out of it, while it is the ordinary many and woman that is having to pay the price through everything from little interest in their saving, to collapsing value of workplace pension schemes, depressed wages and so forth. The people who caused the banking crisis, have gained most from it, and the people who were innocent bystanders are paying for it. Myself and my SNP colleagues will keep challenging and promoting more effective and just policies.

Locally

The issues above may seem far removed from the streets of Kelty, Cowdenbeath or elsewhere locally, but they are not. Each is having a fundamental impact on us all. As I review the thousand or so local constituency cases brought to me over the last year, it is clear that many families are suffering because of UK policies. So as I try to assist individuals and families, it is important not to forget to tackle the broader economic challenges of our time'.