JOBS PLEDGE v INDYREF2
Sturgeon announces scheme to stem ‘tsumani of redundancies’ But opponents say second referendum bill will bring new division
NICOLA Sturgeon hasas announced a £60million job creation plan as Scotland facesces a “tsunami” of Covid-relatedted redundancies.
Unveiling her Programme for Government yesterday, the First Minister guaranteed everyone aged 16 to 24 a job or a place in education ation or training, as well as backingng a £100million green jobs fund.
But in a move that angeredd her political opponents, she also revealed plans for draft IndyRef2 legislation.
Mass job losses have largely been avoided so far as a result of the UK Government’s furlough scheme.
But the initiative is being phased out and experts fear a job catastrophe, particularly among young people.
At Holyrood, Sturgeon repeated her call for the UK Government to extend the Job Retention Scheme for a further 12 months.
She said: “The looming withdrawal of the furlough scheme risks a tsunami of redundancies.”
She added: “Withdrawing this support while otherwise viable businesses are still unable to operate normally … would be unconscionable.”
One of the key announcements was
for a “youth guarantee” to protect young people from the economic damage caused by the coronavirus.
She said it would be “a new partnership with Scotland’s employers – backed by £60million of Government investment – to guarantee everyone aged 16 to 24 a job, a place in education or a place in training”.
She said half of the £100million green jobs fund will help businesses and organisations grow to increase employment in low carbon sectors.
The other half will help businesses take advantage of public and private investment in the low carbon economy.
Sturgeon also pledged to “eliminate digital exclusion” by expanding Connecting Scotland, an initiative for vulnerable people.
The plan is to provide an electronic device, unlimited data and two years of digital support and training to 50,000 people who would otherwise be without digital access by the end of 2021. Her plans were welcomed by business figures. Robin Blacklock, chair of the Scottish Property Federation, said: “Our economy remains fragile as a result of the pandemic. Therefore, it remains critical that our industry is supported to help achieve the government’s objectives.”
Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “The onus is on all of us to build back and the sooner we start, the better.
“The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government has some ambitious aims that we welcome.
“Now we need to see how these proposals will be implemented and when.”
There was cross-party support for some of the measures but Sturgeon was criticised when she said the Scottish Government will introduce legislation setting out the timing and terms for IndyRef2.
The draft bill will also set out the proposed question people will be asked if a new poll is to be put back to the people of Scotland.
Labour MP Ian Murray was not impressed. He said: “This reckless announcement from the First Minister shows that her top priority is to divide the people of Scotland.
“All her focus should be on postCovid recovery, not returning to the old politics of division that will harm Scotland’s society and economy.
“Public services should be the priority, not a divisive second independence referendum.”
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “Lives and livelihoods are still under threat but the First Minister is committing Government time to new independence initiatives. These priorities are wrong.”
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: “This was the moment where the First Minister could have put selfish, narrow interests to one side and united the country.
“Instead, we’re told the solution is another referendum bill, only this time in the middle of a pandemic.
“The First Minister just doesn’t get it. She needs to leave the Holyrood bubble and get back into the real world, where people are fearful of losing their jobs.”