Lib Dems want to work with business leaders to help boost Scotland’s economy

Leading figures from business and other areas should work with government ministers on Scotland’s industrial strategy and economic growth, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader has said.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said he wants to see “leading figures from Scottish business, industry, economics” working in that way.

Their work could feed into an economic growth and industrial strategy that would in turn  underpin the Scottish Government’s programme for government and the Scottish Budget, Mr Cole-Hamilton added.

It comes as he claimed almost 20 years of SNP rule in Scotland had left the country’s economy “without direction”.

Liberal Democrats want to see the government use capital investment on key infrastructure projects that could boost economic growth – suggesting tunnels and bridges in the Shetland Isles as one option for this.

The party also wants to see pay and bonuses for senior figures in the public sector linked to their performance – insisting this would help deliver better value for money for taxpayers.

Lib Dems are vowing to prioritise improving Scotland’s finances – saying this could allow for tax cuts in the future.

However, the party insists it will not make “reckless unaffordable promises”, but is equally clear that people can not be asked to pay more during the current cost-of-living crisis.

Speaking out on the issue ahead of next week’s Holyrood election, Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “Scottish Liberal Democrats believe fair economic growth is the only credible way out of the cost-of-living crisis.

“That means backing business, helping people into better-paid work, growing the tax base and making long-term investments – not erecting new trade barriers.

“It means addressing the drag on our economy caused by poor policy in planning, skills and housing.

“We can do this while protecting our environment, upholding workers’ rights and ensuring support is there when people need it.”