The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ross promises to deliver jobs plan
Moray MP Douglas Ross has pledged to deliver a jobs plan for Scotland within 30 days of taking over, if successful in being named new leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
The politician, who is expected to be confirmed as leader this week, claims the SNP government’s recovery plan from the pandemic has been “totally inadequate” and has failed to stand up for Scottish jobs.
However, SNP depute leader Keith Brown hit back at the leadership hopeful, who he said should first act to call on his colleagues at Westminster to extend the furlough scheme, along with devolving “key financial powers” to Holyrood.
Mr Brown also said the decision to leave the EU in the middle of a global pandemic was putting jobs and the economy at risk by “piling one crisis on top of another”.
With hotels, pubs and retail businesses facing the threat of closure due to the crisis, the Conservative politician has committed to delivering a plan for jobs within the first month of his leadership, setting out “fresh ideas” on the economic recovery.
The initial set of priorities would include new measures to boost skills, retraining and apprenticeships, a major new plan for infrastructure investment and concrete action to support town centres and high streets.
Mr Ross said: “We back new investment on infrastructure. And we will support a skills revolution so people out of work can get new jobs.
“Lives and livelihoods are on the line in this pandemic. My pledge as leader will be to protect both.
“The SNP government need to step up and do the same.”
The 37-year-old, who looks to have a clear run at the leadership bid, has garnered support from across the UK and Scottish parties, since announcing his intention to run on Friday.
Nominations for the position close on Wednesday, with Mr Ross expected to be confirmed as leader this week.
If he wins the party leadership, he has stated his intention to contest a seat at the Holyrood election, in May, in the Highlands and Islands constituency, while continuing as the MP for Moray.