John Swinney urges investment in Scotland to help tackle child poverty

The First Minister is eager to encourage further private investment in the Scottish economy.

Growing investment in Scotland would help to tackle child poverty, John Swinney has said as he attended a summit in London.

The First Minister will seek to boost Scotland’s private investment at the event convened by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where more than 300 industry leaders are expected.

Bringing companies to Scotland and continuing the transition to renewables would help to sustain public services and fight child poverty, the SNP leader added.

Since taking over as First Minister from Humza Yousaf in April, Swinney has pledged to tackle the country’s stubborn child poverty rates, but has been met with one of the most perilous financial situations since devolution.

“Scotland has tremendous economic potential between our abundant renewable energy resources, and the skills, knowledge and expertise of the people and companies that work here,” he said.

“Events such as this are pivotal to securing the necessary investment to unlock the benefits of that potential, such as the creation of new jobs and business opportunities for people right across the country.

“It is this kind of growth, backed by the investment certainty that our green industrial strategy provides, which will help power progress on the Scottish Government’s priorities.

“Growing our economy and achieving a just transition to net zero will, in turn, enable us to invest more in Scotland’s public services, and take further action to end child poverty.

“While Scotland is already the top UK destination for foreign direct investment outside London, there remains much more to do to achieve our aims, and I look forward to making the case for that continued investment later today.”

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