Kate Forbes, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, is set to urge the UK Government to invest more in Scottish industry, arguing that the UK economy needs a “fundamental rebalancing”.
In a debate scheduled for Wednesday at Holyrood, Forbes will criticise UK ministers for their focus on London and the South East, which she claims has led to a “distorted shape of the UK economy”.
Forbes will reiterate the Scottish Government’s support for the Acorn carbon capture project in St Fergus, Aberdeenshire.
This project, which was previously given reserve status after being passed over for funding in 2021, is now being considered for fast-tracking by UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
Ahead of the debate, Forbes stated: “The distorted shape of the UK economy is the result of decades of successive UK governments focusing economic policy and investment on London and the South East”.
She emphasised Scotland’s potential to lead in high-growth sectors such as life sciences, innovation, and AI, highlighting the Scottish Government’s investments in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Forbes expressed pride in Scottish innovation, noting: “I am immensely proud of the successes and potential of Scottish innovation, underpinned by world class research at our universities. Private investors commend the talent of our people”.
Criticising both past and present UK governments, Forbes added: “The UK Labour Government came to office making big economic promises to Scotland but have repeated the same mistakes as their Tory predecessors”.
She concluded by stressing the need for a fundamental rebalancing of the UK economy to “allow Scotland’s extraordinary potential to be met”.
