Speaking after a summit in Dumfries today, among local politicians and local agencies and business organisations to discuss the jobs and economic situation locally, Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell and Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Alex Fergusson both backed a cross-party and cross-agency approach to growing the local economy to improve the job prospects and incomes of local people.
Mr Mundell said: “This issue is more important than party politics. There is a major problem attracting and retaining quality jobs in this region, and I am ready to work together with other politicians and help put in place an action plan and to use all the combined influence we can to demand a better deal for Dumfries and Galloway. Ultimately that is what people living in this region expect from their politicians.
"Many of the problems we face in the local economy are not new, particularly those affecting young people and they have never been far from the surface for the last decade or so. However, I am not in the business of talking down our region and we clearly have a number of strong selling points and numerous examples of successful businesses and individuals who show that we can compete and that there are a lot of skills and experience on offer in this region – and we need to make the most of that by working together more effectively with a Team D&G approach.”
Alex Fergusson MSP added: “The employment situation in Dumfries and Galloway is varied and complex, but one thing is clear and that is we need to have a common purpose amongst local politicians and agencies. We need to see government and council initiatives focus specifically on the issues we face locally, and the type of small business we have here that need the support to grow and create new jobs. Infrastructure remains a key problem; particularly broadband; and across Dumfries and Galloway we need to speak with a common voice to lobby for the improvements we need. I hope today’s discussions will be the first step in an ongoing dialogue among local politicians, agencies and business organisations that can lead to a clear blueprint for the economic future of this area.”