Nicola Sturgeon unveils plans for Scottish national investment bank

A public consultation is to be launched on plans for a national investment bank for Scotland.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will seek public feedback on plans for a Scottish-first national investment bank. Photo: Tom Honan/PA WireFirst Minister Nicola Sturgeon will seek public feedback on plans for a Scottish-first national investment bank. Photo: Tom Honan/PA Wire
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will seek public feedback on plans for a Scottish-first national investment bank. Photo: Tom Honan/PA Wire

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the move at a conference on inclusive growth in Glasgow.

The event brought together speakers from international organisations, foreign governments, local authorities and academia to discuss growing Scotland’s economy and tackling inequality.

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The establishment of a Scottish national investment bank was a key plank of Ms Sturgeon’s programme for government revealed in September, with Benny Higgins, chief executive of Tesco Bank, appointed to head up a plan for its implementation.

Views will now be sought from the public on the detail of how the bank can support the Scottish economy.

Ms Sturgeon said: “The council of economic advisers identified a national investment bank as an important means of delivering infrastructure development, finance for high-growth businesses and strategic investments in innovation.

“Our programme for government committed to the establishment of such a bank and I am delighted that Benny Higgins is leading the implementation work.

“Today, we are launching a consultation on the details of how best the bank can achieve those aims and support Scotland’s economy.

“However, we recognise that inclusive growth is another essential part of our focus on innovation and productivity.

“So, we’ve also announced a range of measures to ensure that as we transform our economy, we leave no-one in our society behind.

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“We will establish a Just Transition Commission - a panel of experts from across society that will advise us on how to make the move to a low-carbon economy as equitable as possible.

“We will look at ways in which we can support the growth of employee ownership and continue to pursue our fair work agenda.”

http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics

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