GREEN YES: ROUTE TO BETTER JOBS IN INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND
Green Yes, the Scottish Green Party's campaign for a Yes vote in the independence referendum, today (5 April) highlighted the choices an independent Scotland could take to create better jobs and grow emerging sectors of the economy.
"Jobs-rich, Fair and Flourishing: An Economy For All", a Green Yes briefing paper, was launched today by Patrick Harvie MSP during a visit to a games developer in the heart of Dundee's digital business district.
The paper says by taking full responsibility for the economy Scotland could pursue bold ideas such as the creation of local banks to support lending, establish a single regulator for micro-businesses to encourage entrepreneurs, and invest heavily in new technology to support growth in the creative sector.
Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow and the Herald's E-Politician of the Year, said:
"Dundee is a great example of a local economy embracing international opportunities, and is at the forefront of the digital sector. It's essential we support the emerging sectors of the economy to create new jobs, and we have a better chance of doing this with the full range of responsibilities.
"The debate about independence provides an opportunity to ask what kind of economy we want. Satisfying, secure jobs with good pay are increasingly rare thanks to the hollowing out of the UK economy by corporate interests, with the main Westminster parties encouraging this approach.
"A successful Scottish economy would chart a different course. We could prioritise the small firms that provide us with a stable business base, reform bank lending and put an end to poverty pay. I hope the Green Yes contribution on jobs draws in undecided voters and shows them the possibilities that a Yes vote opens up."
Highlights from the Green Yes paper on jobs:
-Scotland could create an economic revival and thousands of jobs by focussing on small business growth.
-Independence gives us the opportunity to kick start a local banking network built to support jobs in the local economy.
-A single regulator for businesses with ten or fewer employees would create one point of contact for start-up and micro businesses owners who need to concentrate on making their business a success and creating jobs.
-Local Authorities should be able to design a rates scheme that works for their own town centres and creates incentives to invest.
-Independence gives Scotland a better chance of making sure EU procurement rules are designed to allow small and local suppliers to win contracts.
-Independence provides Scotland the opportunity to break from austerity and invest directly in an economic recovery.
-We can build on and emulate the successes of local enterprise released in the community buy-out areas in the Hebrides and north west Scotland and the programmes such as Starter for 6, Bathtub2Boardroom, the Grameen Foundation, London Creative Labs and many others.
-More can be done in Scotland to make childcare more flexible and fit with the needs of parents who work or study part-time.
-A Citizens Basic Income would allow people to take a fuller and more effective part in the community and the local economy.
-Scottish independence provides an opportunity to raise the minimum wage to a decent living wage for all.
-Investment in research, development and innovation creates the foundations for new businesses and new jobs. We are starting to harness the jobs potential of a sustainable energy policy. Scotland also has strong chemical and life sciences industries creating opportunities for research into alternative technologies and green chemistry.
-Prioritising great quality food production, chemical sciences, medical and life science, construction and engineering, tourism and sports, shipbuilding and the space industry, digital opportunities and creativity, textiles and design, and energy.