Dugdale Vows Labour 'Fresh Start' With Business

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale is to pledge a fresh start'' in her party's relationship with the business community.

Ms Dugdale will meet business leaders in Glasgow and call for them to make common cause'' with her party to champion more investment in education and skills.

She will also speak to apprentices and graduate trainees on a visit to a Lloyds Banking Group call centre in the city.

The Labour leader is expected to tell business representatives that tackling inequality in schools is the key to boosting the Scottish economy.

Young people from all backgrounds need to be given the skills to compete for vital jobs in the finance, IT, science, engineering and low carbon technology sectors, she will say.

Ms Dugdale is expected to say: For too many kids in Scotland today how much money their parents earn determines their ability to get on in life, rather than their potential, work rate and ambition.

That's not just holding young people back, it's bad for business and Scotland's economy. Investing in education and skills today will pay dividends in the decades to come.

I want a fresh start in the relationship between Labour and Scotland's business community.

We can make common cause. Together we can make the case for radically transforming the approach we take to education in Scotland.

That's in the best interests of Scotland's young people and of Scotland's businesses.''

SNP MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh said: The SNP has a strong record in government of supporting business and investment in Scotland, and has a positive vision for the future of the country.

Since 2007 the SNP government has supported businesses through the Small Business Bonus Scheme - and this year two in every five businesses will benefit to the tune of over £600 million.

Labour's continued negativity and lack of vision will mean Kezia Dugdale has her work cut out for her if Labour is to ever have a hope of regaining the trust of the people of Scotland.''

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