Capital infrastructure can help Glasgow ‘overcome’ Brexit challenges
The ‘Brexit and the Glasgow Economy: Impacts, Actions and Asks‘ report calls on the Scottish and UK governments to accelerate City Deal capital infrastructure works, principally in relation to the approvals required for enhanced surface access to Glasgow Airport, with other projects accelerated in conjunction with the Scottish Government.
It also urges both governments to transfer surplus land holdings in Glasgow to Glasgow City Council to allow the acceleration of major housing building programmes that will provide a major jobs stimulus and help meet the city’s housing needs.
Produced by Glasgow City Council, the Glasgow Economic Leadership board, and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, the report also calls on both governments to promote future economic growth by match funding major gaps caused by the loss of European cash.
Councillor McAveety said: “I believe that Brexit will confront Glasgow with major economic challenges. I also believe these can be overcome if special action is taken by the Scottish and UK governments. If that happens then the problems associated with Brexit can become an opportunity for economic growth and not a threat of crisis.”
Stuart Patrick, chief executive, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “In order to take advantage of the new world as it exists in the aftermath of the Brexit vote and to seize the opportunities that will be presented to us, a clear, collective, coherent and forward looking approach from the City of Glasgow and from the Scottish and UK governments is required.
“We cannot do this alone and whilst uncertainly continues around our future trading relationship with the EU we must combine all our efforts now to secure investment and jobs and to boost trade.
“The Glasgow economy is robust, dynamic and multi-faceted and well placed to take advantage of what is soon to come. There are clear challenges that lie ahead but to take full advantage of the opportunities that will arise and help smooth over the inevitable bumps along the way, we must work together and we must act quickly.”
Other recommendations for both the Scottish and UK governments to adopt include:
Councillor McAveety added: “Glaswegians are ambitious and hard working. We have never sat back and accepted our fate, we have always helped to create our own opportunities and pushed forward with confidence to ensure our city and its citizens flourish and grow.
“Our confidence in our future resilience is based on facts and today Glasgow has emerged as the fastest growing major city economy in the UK. We are grateful to everyone who helped prepare this report; leading political figures, economics experts and our business community. We know that by working together, we can ensure we grow a stronger city and a brighter future with opportunity for all our citizens to flourish.”
The report has been compiled with the help of more than 100 senior business, local government and academic leaders.
It will now be submitted to the First Minister’s Standing Committee on Europe, led by Professor Anton Muscatelli of the University of Glasgow.
To coincide with the launch of the report a selection of Glasgow’s leading business, local government and academic leaders have shown their commitment to the city by taking part in the #GlasgowisOpenforBusiness campaign and a short film.
https://youtu.be/_bESM1Ex7ec