Swinney backs diverse Moray economy
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FINANCE Secretary John Swinney has backed Moray Economic Partnership’s pledge to diversify the economy.
And public private partnerships could be the way forward.
Discussions followed this morning’s meeting of the Scottish Cabinet in Elgin Library.
Mr Swinney and Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business Bruce Crawford were given an update on progress made by the group, comprising of representatives from the business and public sectors, following the impact of the Westminster Government’s defence review last October.
As a result the Nimrod MRA4 contract was axed marking the end of RAF Kinloss.
In July it was announced that sister station RAF Lossiemouth would become home to the Typhoon aircraft with the Army moving into Kinloss.
However, the months of uncertainty hanging over Moray since October until the decision on Lossiemouth has highlighted the need for a more diverse economy.
Jim Royan, MEP chairman, said: "In the past 10 months our communities have demonstrated enormous energy in moving forward from anxiety over the uncertainty we have faced to ambition on how we can seek new opportunities and grow our economy."
He added: "Our key themes are to have a plan of action and keep focused on it, to make early contact with the Army to support a smooth transition at RAF Kinloss, to take immediate steps to diversify to economy and to engage in a meaningful way with the existing business community large and small to support business continuity, business efficiency and effective public private sector relationship."
Mr Swinney endorsed the partnership’s charter and reiterated the Scottish Government’s support to businesses and communities suffering following the defence cuts.
He said: "Scottish Government Ministers worked in partnership with the people of Moray throughout the successful campaign to save RAF Lossiemouth.
"Following Westminster’s decision, we are focused on pressing the UK Government to provide some much-needed clarity on the transitional plans for all base realignments."
Mr Swinney added that ministers would continue to work with the partnership and take forward some of the suggestions arising from the meeting into ongoing discussions with the Westminster Government.
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