A PACKAGE of proposals to help the Scottish economy recover from Covid-19 has been welcomed by Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell.
The 'Power Up Scotland' jobs plan, launched on Monday by new Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross, was exactly the positive strategy needed to stimulate areas like the south of Scotland, he stated.
Mr Ross put forward the following key policies:
· Sector-specific Job Security Councils to help laid-off workers transition and find skilled work, based on Sweden’s hugely successful retraining programmes.
· A Town Centre Rescue Plan to help small local shops adapt and free up planning restrictions.
· A ‘Scotland First’ procurement strategy to have the government spend more money locally.
· A Scottish education guarantee to age 18 and expanded adult learning programmes.
· Community Right to Buy schemes for local pubs and other employers in fragile areas.
· Scottish Enterprise reformed on regional lines and new Rural Growth deals to spread high-quality jobs and business growth across the country.
· A yellow/red card system for businesses who make late payments and bid for public work.
· A new research and development target with better incentives for innovation.
· A Hardship Fund for businesses facing localised lockdowns.
David Mundell said: "If implemented, these proposals are exactly the shot in the arm our local economy needs to help it adjust to the new norm as we emerge from this unparalleled crisis.
"These steps would build on the massive investment from the UK Government to protect jobs and businesses as we move into a new phase of recovery and hopefully shape a stronger economy in the long term.
"From speaking to local business people and employees over the last few difficult months, they are desperate for clarity and a clear route map on how we can best move forward.
"What most of my constituents want is an end to the Scottish Government's obsession with constitutional issues and we hope SNP Ministers take up Douglas' offer to work with them, where possible, to help deliver on these positive policies.
"Representing a rural constituency himself, Douglas has a great empathy with areas like Clydesdale and Tweeddale and has already shown a particular interest in specific issues we face."