Latest editorial
First Minister John Swinney delivers a speech on Scotland's economy and the government's priorities at Barclays Glasgow Campus in Glasgow, May 17, 2024
FIRST MINISTER John Swinney called for “concrete actions and fewer strategy documents” from his own government today.
Speaking at the Glasgow campus of under-fire banking giant Barclays, Mr Swinney pledged to govern from a “moderate, left of centre position,” reassuring assembled bankers he would take a “collaborative and inclusive” towards business.
He said: “We must search to remove obstacles, we must offer certainty to those prepared to make commitments to our economy.
Responding to the speech given just one day after her first meeting with Mr Swinney in his new role, STUC general secretary Roz Foyer told the Star: “We understand the new First Minister’s focus on growth and are pleased that he recognises that this must take place with a focus on tackling low pay and supporting collective bargaining.
“Fair pay is central to tackling poverty as are decent public services.
“We hope the government will recognise the key part public investment and ownership has to play in achieving sustainable growth and would point the First Minister to the central role of public intervention in many of the small nation economies he seeks to emulate.”
