THE First Minister will set out a “national mission” to create new green jobs to aid Scotland’s coronavirus crisis today.
Nicola Sturgeon’s Programme for Government will be announced this afternoon, with a focus on investment in green jobs and skills as well as funding for a youth jobs guarantee to help people retrain in new areas.
Ahead of the announcement, the SNP leader said: “Equipping people with skills for the future to keep them in work or get back into employment will be critical.
“From our young people entering the job market for the first time to older workers who need to retrain, we will make sure that no-one is left behind.
“We have already announced £100 million investment in employment and skills as part of our wider economic recovery package and this Programme for Government will set out our next steps on this journey.”
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: Virus must not be allowed to define future of Scots
The announcement comes after Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross put forward his own economic proposals to boost the economy following the coronavirus lockdown.
The Moray MP’s plan to “power up Scotland” unravelled as it emerged one of his key pledges would be banned by the UK Government.
Ross proposed a “Scotland First” procurement strategy to get the Government to spend more cash locally – but under the Tories’ internal market bill, public sector bodies would not be allowed to give geographical weighting to awarding tenders.
Depute SNP leader Keith Brown said: “Douglas Ross’s plans have been shown to be utterly hollow in the middle and to fall foul of his own party’s so-called ‘UK internal market’ plans, which he supports.”
He added: “He also seems determined to pretend that Brexit isn’t happening, which is a luxury thousands of businesses across Scotland simply do not have.
“This is typical of the Tories who are more interested in sound-bites than coherent policy proposals, and constantly put the survival of their own party over the survival of Scotland’s economy, jobs and livelihoods.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel