Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell used a speech in Gretna Green this week to urge economic opportunities on the M74 corridor to be seized to boost growth in the region.
Speaking in his role as Secretary of State for Scotland at a dinner hosted by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, Mr Mundell called on the council and the Scottish Government to work together with the UK Government to encourage new investment into the area.
Mr Mundell argued that the location of Dumfries and Galloway makes it ideal for businesses but more needs to be done to achieve the potential as he criticised the much heralded transport summit held recently in Dumfries.
Speaking at Smiths, Mr Mundell said: “Now, obviously I’m biased, but Dumfries and Galloway has an almighty advantage on its side: location, location, location.
“Here on the M74 corridor we can look north to our neighbours in Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond.
“But with Carlisle 15 minutes south and Manchester just two hours’ drive, the markets of the north of England are on our doorstep.
“The M74 corridor – sees £50 billion of goods and services go from Scotland to the UK, while £60 billion come up the other way.
“Our rich history, the rural landscape and coastlines draw visitors from around the world and support the livelihoods of our farmers and tourist businesses.
“Companies are harnessing emerging technologies and practices in industries like forestry and where companies like James Jones are global leaders. We need to do more.
“The campuses of five different institutions based on the Crichton Campus in Dumfries, including the University of Glasgow and the opportunity to learn and re-train there is a very important asset for this region which we must continue to cherish.
“These strengths are borne out in the statistics.
“It’s unemployment level is well below the Scottish average and it has the third-highest rate of self-employment in Scotland. That famous Scottish entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well.
“So there is much to celebrate, and huge strategic opportunities to be grasped.
“But I am under no illusion that there are serious, long-term challenges to face – here just as much as anywhere else in the UK.
“Yes, it is well-positioned, but many infrastructure links into Scotland are not good enough and after the recent so called ‘Transport Summit’, I remain sceptical of the Scottish Governments willingness to take action.
“Yes, unemployment is low, but the region has consistently had a lower GVA per head than the UK or Scotland.
“Yes, there are training opportunities, but like so many rural communities it is facing the twin pressures of an ageing and shrinking population.
“So we need to work together across governments, local authorities, business and communities to seize opportunities and draw new investment in.”
Mr Mundell also added his support for the Borderlands Initiative and called on Dumfries and Galloway council to put forward their proposals for a UK Region deal.
He said: “I want to be clear tonight that we are open to hearing from any city or region looking to grow its economy. And Dumfries and Galloway needs to get in on the act if it is not to lose out on £100m’s of investment.
“You will no doubt have seen the leaflets that have been distributed this evening on the “Borderlands Initiative”. This is a project that that aims to bring together the two Scottish councils of Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders together with the English councils of Carlisle, Cumbria and Northumberland to promote the economic growth and competitiveness of the Borderlands.
“These five areas have historically faced similar challenges. But they also share similar assets, both natural and economic, and want to come together, across the Anglo-Scottish border, to make the most of them collectively.
“It has the potential bold approach, one that I have very much welcomed as local MP and one that the UK Government would be keen to support.
“That’s why the Scotland Office has already been working with partners throughout the development of the Borderlands Initiative but if it’s to happen, we need to see a gear change and concrete proposals emerging soon.”
Mr Mundell finished by reaffirming his opposition to a second independence referendum and added that there are a lot of opportunities for the region over the coming years.
He finished by saying: “I genuinely hope that over the next few years we can put the threat of a second independence referendum behind us, and all work together, in partnership, to make these ambitions a reality.
“This is an important time for Dumfries and Galloway. A lot of challenges ahead but a lot of opportunities, if we have the will and our focus to take them.”