Anas Sarwar launches economic advisory board to shape Scottish Labour policy

Anas Sarwar has launched a new economic advisory board to help steer Scottish Labour policy. 

Speaking at the event in Glasgow today, the party leader said the board would help “formulate our economic growth plan”. 

This will focus on three key areas: maximising the potential in new green sectors; more support for growth in financial and tech services; and selling ‘Brand Scotland’ abroad. 

Sarwar said: “We have brought together an extraordinary array of leaders from Scotland’s business community who will bring a deep understanding of what businesses in Scotland need and will identify the emerging trends in the global economy which will help attract investment and jobs into Scotland. 

“This independent board of industry experts from the world of finance, energy, food and drink, arts and culture, and the trade union movement, will bring deep insight, knowledge and understanding so that we produce a growth plan which meets the needs of business and delivers for Scotland.” 

Members of the board include Scottish Chambers of Commerce CEO Liz Cameron, Scottish Financial Enterprise chief Sandy Begbie, and vice-chair of Scottish Labour Unions Karen Whitefield. 

The announcement follows the launch of the Scottish Conservative’s economic strategy earlier this week and comes ahead of First Minister Humza Yousaf’s programme for government next Tuesday. 

Sarwar criticised the Scottish Government, suggesting Yousaf “doesn’t know what direction his government is going in anymore”. 

And he said the UK Government was currently attempting to “fix the economic mistakes” it had itself made. 

“They are too distracted by the extraordinary chaos in their own parties, and simply don’t have the energy, the leadership, or the willpower to take the necessary action to get us through the crises we face,” the Scottish Labour leader added. 

In contrast, he said Scottish Labour was “unashamedly a pro-business and pro-growth party”.