Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Anas Sarwar unveils expert panel to advise Scottish Labour on economy

The panel has been given the task of providing impartial advice to Sarwar

Anas Sarwar unveils expert panel to advise Scottish Labour on economy

SCOTTISH Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has unveiled an expert independent board to advise the party on economic growth.

The panel consists of high-profile business leaders, including a media executive who appeared on The Apprentice, as reported by The Times.


Sarwar said that the panel will focus on green energy, finance, and technology, as well as promoting 'Scotland the brand'. Liz Cameron, the director and chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Sandy Begbie, the chief executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise, and Fran Hegyi, the executive director of the Edinburgh International Festival, are all part of the group.

The other members are former media executive Mike Soutar, who appeared on The Apprentice, Bob Brannan, the chairman of Walkers Shortbread, Mary McGowne, the founder and managing director of The Vine, Willie Haughey, the chairman of City Facilities Management Holdings, and Karen Whitefield, of the trade union Usdaw.

Paul McManus, a board member and the principal stakeholder at Cloburn Quarry Company, who also serves as the drummer in Gun, the Scottish rock group, will also join the board. He contributed £130,000 to the party last year.

Sarwar stated that Labour openly supports businesses and economic expansion and is committed to creating an economic growth strategy.

He intends to collaborate with the industry to assess this plan during their time in opposition, and once in government, work alongside the UK government to implement it right from the start.

According to Labour strategists, Liz Truss’s budget damaged the Tories' reputation, and trust was eroded in the SNP under Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership.

Sarwar holds the belief that boosting the gross domestic product (GDP) plays a crucial role in generating the necessary funds to support social policies, thereby reducing the necessity for tax hikes.

The board of advisers has been given the task of providing impartial advice to Sarwar and Daniel Johnson, the economy spokesman, which will inform Labour’s economic policies.

It will involve tailoring plans to different parts of the country rather than utilizing a blanket approach that covers urban and rural areas.

“Nearly a quarter of a century on since devolution, our Scottish parliament has overseen sweeping social change, but we have been very much a social policy parliament rather than an economic policy parliament,” Sarwar was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

“And that has let down Scottish employers, weakening our growth potential. With the vast powers that Holyrood has and during a cost of living crisis — and let’s not forget, a cost of doing business crisis — we must debate how to deliver economic growth. That’s what Scottish businesses deserve.”

Ministers have relaunched the Ecosystem Fund to help inspire more entrepreneurs to start or scale up their businesses. Grants of up to £50,000 will be available under the scheme.

Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, has also unveiled proposals to encourage people to work longer hours and encourage those with long-term illnesses back into employment.

More For You

single-use vapes-iStock

Analysis by Material Focus estimates that 8.2 million vapes are discarded or littered each week in the UK—equivalent to 13 every second. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Shops told to clear single-use vapes before ban starts on June 1

SHOPS across the UK have until 1 June 2025 to sell off remaining stocks of single-use vapes before a nationwide ban comes into force.

The legislation, confirmed last year, follows a government consultation that showed strong support for restricting their sale and supply.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump’s Promise: TikTok Deal Before April 5 to Avoid Ban

This is not the first time that TikTok has been under scrutiny in the United States

Getty

Trump promises TikTok deal before April 5 to prevent ban

As the clock ticks towards the April 5 deadline, the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain, with President Donald Trump promising that a deal to resolve the app's ongoing issues will be struck before the deadline. The central issue at hand is whether TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, will be forced to divest the popular social media platform or face a ban in the U.S.

In a statement made aboard Air Force One late on Sunday, Trump confirmed that there was "tremendous interest" from potential buyers looking to acquire TikTok. He expressed his desire for the platform to "remain alive" and emphasized that multiple buyers were keen on striking a deal, suggesting that a solution would be reached before the deadline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Primark-London-Getty

During his 15-year tenure, Marchant expanded Primark’s store network to more than 450 locations across 17 countries in Europe and the United States. (Photo: Reuters)

Primark chief Paul Marchant steps down after misconduct probe

PAUL MARCHANT, the head of fashion retailer Primark, has resigned with immediate effect after admitting to an "error of judgment" in his behaviour towards a woman in a social setting.

Associated British Foods (AB Foods), Primark's parent company, announced his resignation on Monday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jaguar’s bold gamble: Can it woo young, wealthy drivers with a £123k EV?

Jaguar’s bold gamble: Can it woo young, wealthy drivers with a £123k EV?

JAGUAR’S ambition to seduce younger, richer drivers was on full display in Paris with a presentation of its newest prototype, the Type 00, which promises all-electric luxury... at a steep price.

The low-slung, muscular-looking concept car presented to European reporters last Friday (21) prefigures a production model expected mid-2026 at a base cost of €150,000 (£123,472.8).

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Trump-Getty

Trump has suggested the possibility of a 'great' trade deal that could help the UK mitigate the impact of tariffs he has pledged to introduce. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer, Trump talk trade deal progress in 'productive' discussion

KEIR STARMER and Donald Trump spoke on Sunday about ongoing UK-US trade negotiations, with Downing Street describing the talks as "productive."

Since leaving the European Union, the UK has been working to secure a trade agreement with the United States. Successive British governments have pursued a deal, but it has remained elusive.

Keep ReadingShow less