‘ACTIVE” governance will boost the UK economy after Brexit, Theresa May claimed yesterday.
May said her administration will be “stepping up to a new, active role” to ensure the UK becomes richer after pulling out of Europe.
The ten-point plan, which includes investing in innovation and developing skills, was published in a green paper as she held her first regional cabinet meeting in north-west England.
In response the SNP said Tory policies focused on the “obsessions of the Tory right” and should be looking instead at protecting relationships with Europe post-Brexit.
Publishing the plan, May said: “Underpinning this strategy is a new approach to government, not just stepping back and leaving business to get on with the job, but stepping up to a new, active role that backs business and ensures more people in all corners of the country share in the benefits of its success.
“This active government will build on Britain’s strategic strengths and tackle our underlying weaknesses, like low productivity.”
The plan also includes encouraging inward investment, delivering affordable energy and supporting start-ups, as well as “driving growth across the whole country” and “cultivating world-leading sectors”.
A white paper will be published later in the year following a consultation and, speaking at a science park near Warrington yesterday, May said: “This is how we shape a stronger future for the UK and also ensure we are building a fairer Britain and a better Britain.
“The pillars that are in here, the importance of issues like infrastructure, skills, ensuring young people have the skills they need for the future, working, looking at the way in which clusters can help to drive economic growth.
“So, there’s a lot of work to be done and I suggest we just get on with it.”
Scotland Office Minister Andrew Dunlop and Energy and Industry Minister Jesse Norman visited the Scottish Leather Group factory in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, and the Tennent’s brewery in Glasgow as they emphasised how Scotland will benefit.
Dunlop said: “We want to build on the success of the UK city deals to help growth reach right across Scotland.
“With our world-class exporters and internationally-respected research hubs, Scotland is ready to realise its potential.
“By boosting our digital connectivity, exporting the expertise of our oil and gas industry, and investing in innovative renewable technologies, we can create an economy fit for the future.
“I look forward to working alongside the Scottish Government to develop our industrial strategy.”
Norman added: “The birthplace of Adam Smith and David Hume, Scotland has huge economic strengths, including in financial services, life sciences, higher education and research, quantum technologies and advanced manufacturing. We believe that a really effective industrial strategy needs to build on those capabilities, and help create new ones.”
SNP economy spokesperson Stewart Hosie said: “The UK Government’s policy agenda is not focused on the needs of the economy but the obsessions of the Tory right. Ripping the UK out of the single market, forgoing vital EU research funding and collaboration, and pursuing self-defeating policies on austerity and immigration will actively damage the economy and hold back growth.
“We need to see a Brexit plan that protects our relationship with Europe, investment to grow the economy, an immigration policy that attracts the top talent and maximises the benefits migrants bring, and an industrial strategy that compliments the priorities that the Scottish Government has already laid out for Scotland.”
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