Even from opposition, Scottish Labour is working hard to deliver jobs, skills and a sustainable economy.

The Scottish Parliament has responsibility for a wide range of areas including energy, transport, skills, and tourism. Andy Kerr MSP (pictured) is the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy and leads our team in this area.

Labour is working in the Scottish Parliament to stimulate green economy, lead the way in urging support for the manufacturing sector, effectively utilise the public sector through measures such as procurement and challenge the SNP government to deliver jobs and help the Scottish economy, rather than simply picking fights with Westminster.

Skills

In the 2009 Scottish budget negotiations it was Labour’s demands that delivered:

• an extra 7,800 apprenticeship places, a guarantee for apprentices facing redundancy

• an Apprenticeship Summit where key employers, training providers, trade unions and businesses were brought together to ensure Scotland has the skills and resources to be ready to meet the economic upturn.

Throughout the negotiations we continually sought to increase the support for and investment in training and apprenticeships for businesses and industry across Scotland.

Support for Businesses

Labour has lead calls for greater support for small – medium sized businesses when it matters most. Scottish Labour have challenged the SNP Governement to introduce a scheme to support businesses on short-time working which would help companies by funding wage subsidies and providing training grants for employees so they can stay in post.

National Conversation on Jobs

Iain Gray MSP has announced that Labour will be developing of an industrial strategy with the objective of achieving social justice through sustainable economic development.

It will look at future jobs for Scotland and will include the green economy as well as employment in the manufacturing and the service sector.

Scottish Labour believes we must work with all sides of industry and wider civic society to develop highly skilled workers, first class performance and innovation.