Fasten your seat belts .. we’re ready for take-off
Sturgeon hails air contract as she calls on Scottish industry to conquer new fields
SCOTLAND has to move on from oil to greatly diversify the economy, Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday.
The First Minister signalled a shift in focus just days before she is expected to put the economy at the heart of her new programme for government.
The move follows official figures laying bare the impact of lower oil revenues on public finances.
Sturgeon, speaking at an aircraft fabrication firm in Prestwick who have just landed a major contract, said the economic downturn showed Scotland has to do better.
“Scotland has the natural resources, the skills and the research base to be one of the most prosperous parts of Europe,” she told business leaders and engineers.
“But we need to accept we still face some significant challenges.”
She said it was important to promote sustainable growth and “to ensure that growth is spread more evenly across economic sectors and across all parts of our country”.
Sturgeon insisted the oil industry remains an integral part of the economy, with good jobs and long-term revenue. But Scotland has to catch up in hi-tech and international exports.
Her speech coincided with the announcement of £45million extra public funds over three years to boost research and development to £300million.
She was speaking at Spirit AeroSystems, one of the largest employers in Ayrshire.
They have just won a contract to supply Airbus with hi-spec parts, leading to 100 new jobs.
On Tuesday, Sturgeon will set out plans for the year ahead as MSPs return from summer break. She is expected to underline her commitment to the manufacturing, engineering and technology sectors.
Mark Bevan, chief executive of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, welcomed the business-friendly signals.
But opposition politicians were critical. Labour’s Jackie Baillie said: “The SNP should stop the spin and listen to businesses across Scotland that are crying out for support.”
Tory MSP Dean Lockhart said: “Under 10 years of the SNP we’ve seen low growth, low productivity, and not enough innovation.”