Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
TALKING POLITICS Governments must kick-start our economies
Now that we have coronavirus under control in Scotland, we need to deal with the economic fallout from the pandemic.
We already see a huge increase in unemployment, business failures and bankruptcies. Many people on low incomes are struggling to get by. People are getting worried about their future and that of their children. Rightly so.
We need both the Scottish and UK Governments to act now, before it is too late. Top priority is to save existing jobs and create as many new ones as we can.
One way to do that is by putting cash into the pockets of the poor. When poorer people get extra cash, they spend it locally, thereby helping local businesses.
Increasing benefits for children, unemployed people and the sick and disabled would help boost local economies, as would an increase in the state retirement pension.
Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the Scottish economy. These are the businesses which create the most jobs. We need to help them as much as possible.
Government should invest heavily through low or no interest loans and grants to help them get back on their feet.
We need a huge investment programme to build many more houses, roads, superfast broadband, schools and health facilities. Creating a building boom is a quick way to generate new jobs throughout the country.
Training and re-training is another way to get the economy moving. Too often, we train people for jobs that do not exist. That is a waste of time and money. We need to develop the skills which have the best chance of leading to good, well-paid work.
Like the rest of Scotland, Monklands would benefit enormously from the above- mentioned ideas. We need many new council houses as a matter of urgency, we need to upgrade much of the existing housing stock, our town centres need regeneration, our local roads need improved, and many of our schools need upgraded.
All these projects would create work as well as help local people live better lives.
We cannot afford to go back to the bad old days of austerity. Starving essential services is no way to rebuild our economy. We must invest heavily to create the chances we all need to build a better future.