Tories slam government growth hub as ‘website’

Scottishgovernmentplans to create a hub to boost growth across the country have been criticised by the Conservatives, who claim the project amounts to “basically setting up a website”.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown announced the creation of the Centre for Regional Inclusive Growth in November, telling a Holyrood committee it would “help to support our policy initiatives on regional partnerships, city deals and city region deals”.

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart has questioned the minister on when the centre would be operational, where it would be based and how many staff it would employ.

Mr Brown responded: “It is anticipated that the centre will support regional partnerships and city and region deals and will primarily be a ‘virtual hub’.”