Academics, business leaders and politician’s named for Sturgeon’s Brexit ‘Growth Commission’

The membership and remit of the SNP’s new Growth Commission has been announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The announcement outlined how the Commission will explore options to grow Scotland’s economy in the wake of EU referendum and consider how to generate further growth with the powers of independence.

The 14-member panel includes leading Scottish business figures, renowned economists and politicians – and is chaired by former SNP MSP Andrew Wilson.

The SNP said that while the work undertaken by the Commission is intended to inform party policy, it will aim to seek a wide range of views from across the political spectrum and from business, trade unions and civic society.

The Commission will report directly to the First Minister.

Membership of the SNP’s Growth Commission:

The SNP stressed that Members of the Commission were taking part in a personal capacity, and membership of the Commission does not indicate support or membership of the party.

Economic and Secretariat support will be provided by Graeme Blackett of Biggar Economics.

Announcing the Commission’s membership today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Scotland is a wealthy country with resources and talents that many other countries can only dream about. The challenge, however, lies in closing the gap between our potential and the reality.

“We want to strengthen our foundations and seek to identify the very best opportunities for Scotland’s economy to flourish.

“I’m delighted to announce the membership of our party’s Growth Commission – with leading economists, some of Scotland’s most successful businesspeople and current and former politicians offering their experience and insight on how best we grow our economy.

“With a background in politics and a keen understanding of our economy Andrew Wilson is well placed to chair this Commission and to bring new ideas to the debate on how we reach our full potential.

“The Commission’s work will inform our thinking in the here and now – how we sustain growth during the period of uncertainty caused by Brexit – but will also examine projections for Scotland’s finances and proposals for growth in the context of independence. That work will include considering policies to grow the economy and reduce Scotland’s deficit and looking at the monetary arrangements which would best underpin a strategy for sustainable growth.

Chair of the Commission, former SNP MSP Andrew Wilson added: “It is a privilege for me to chair this outstanding group of people on such a challenging and important topic.

“We will give it our all and engage the best talent and minds we can to support and test our work. It is my sincere hope that should Scotland be asked to choose again on independence, this project ensures that we all have as sound, transparent and firm a prospectus as any country facing such a choice has ever had.

“Just as important, I hope the work can help the SNP deliver the policies and leadership that are needed now to secure the productivity, growth and competitiveness that we need, delivering sustainable funding for quality public services.

“We need to think ambitiously, inclusively and differently. It is time for substance and respect in our debate – people in this country have not had enough of experts, that much is certain.”