COLIN BEATTIE MSP BACKS SNP STIMULUS IN BREXIT AFTERMATH

Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has backed the Scottish Government’s commitment to stimulate the economy with new infrastructure funding in the wake of the EU referendum.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced an additional £100m of funding in this financial year to speed up the delivery of health and other infrastructure projects – as well as the establishment of a new service to provide information and support to businesses affected by the EU referendum.

Projects will be assessed for accelerated funding against a range of criteria including how quickly work can start, the number of jobs that will be supported or created, the likely impact on the supply chain and geographic spread.

Mr Beattie has called on the UK Government to urgently announce its own economic stimulus package, which would enable the Scottish Government to do even more to accelerate capital spending to support communities in his constituency and across Scotland.

Commenting, Mr Beattie said:

“Nicola Sturgeon has been clear that the Scottish Government will pursue all possible options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU.

“But in the meantime we must do all we can to ensure that our economy doesn’t suffer, hitting jobs and investment in Midlothian, East Lothian and across the country.
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“It’s up to the UK Government to match the Scottish Government’s ambition and begin fixing this mess of their own making. Theresa May must take meaningful action to alleviate uncertainty and announce a UK wide stimulus, allowing the Scottish Government to do even more to secure jobs in the constituency and beyond.”