By Democrat reporter
A ‘lost decade’ of division between the Scottish and UK governments cost the Scottish economy £10 billion, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray will warn this week.
In a major speech on economic growth later this week, Murray will highlight that had Scottish growth matched UK growth for the last decade, the Scottish economy would be £10 billion larger.
Murray will also speak to his experience as a small businessman before entering politics.
Murray will highlight how the new UK Labour government has reset the relationship with the Scottish government, including bringing the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow and a range of areas where the Scottish Government has been happy for the UK Government to legislate on their behalf, including on tobacco and vapes, renters rights and public railways.
He will criticise the previous Tory government and current SNP government for fighting each other rather than working together to deliver better results for Scots.
Ian Murray, pictured above, said: “The single most important outcome that Scotland’s two governments should be seeking is economic growth. Growth with a purpose.
“Economic growth to raise living standards, improve public services and tackle the unacceptable levels of poverty that scar our communities.
“But I’m afraid delivering economic growth for Scotland is not something either of Scotland’s governments can do alone. It requires partnership and co-operation.
“Because not working together just costs Scotland in the long run. The past decade has been one of division between Scotland’s two governments. They were more interested in fighting each other than fighting for Scotland.
“The result? Scottish growth lagged behind UK growth. If Scottish growth had simply matched UK growth in the last decade our economy would be nearly £10 billion larger.
“A decade of lost growth has cost Scotland billions. We can’t have another lost decade. We need a decade of national renewal.”