By News Desk

The leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Anas Sarwar, has criticised First Minister Humza Yousaf for prioritising the agenda for independence over improving the economy.

According to reports, the GDP in Scotland declined by 0.3 per cent in the second quarter from April to June this year. Yousaf assumed his new role on March 28.

On Thursday, 31 August, Sarwar addressed a business audience in Glasgow and pointed out that the government’s focus on social policies in the last 25 years has led to a stunted economy.

As a result, he stated that the country’s potential for growth has been weakened. On top of everything, the ‘extraordinary chaos’ within the SNP (Scottish National Party) and among the Tories has diverted attention from this issue.

Sarwar has launched a new economic advisory board aimed at steering the Scottish Labour policy. The party leader said the board would help “formulate our economic growth plan”.

He said: “We have brought together an extraordinary array of leaders from Scotland’s business community who will bring a deep understanding of what businesses in Scotland need and will identify the emerging trends in the global economy which will help attract investment and jobs into Scotland.

“This independent board of industry experts from the world of finance, energy, food and drink, arts and culture, and the trade union movement, will bring deep insight, knowledge and understanding so that we produce a growth plan which meets the needs of business and delivers for Scotland.”

Members of the board include Scottish Chambers of Commerce CEO Liz Cameron, Scottish Financial Enterprise chief and Apprentice star Sandy Begbie, and vice-chair of Scottish Labour Unions Karen Whitefield.

In his speech at the panel in Glasgow, Sarwar said his party is “unashamedly pro-business and pro-growth”, and the tenets of “social change and a strong economy” will guide Labour’s policy.

He added: “Nearly a quarter of a century on since devolution, our Scottish Parliament has overseen sweeping social change, but we have been very much a social policy Parliament rather than an economic policy Parliament.

“And that has let down Scottish employers, weakening our potential for growth.

“With the vast powers that Holyrood has and during a cost-of-living crisis – and, let’s not forget, a cost-of-doing-business crisis – it’s vital that we debate how to deliver economic growth. That’s what Scottish businesses deserve.

“Not brinksmanship or constitutional uncertainty and gameplaying, but a government that uses the levers we have in Scotland to deliver growth, a government that understands what businesses want, and a government that works in partnership with business to deliver what’s best for Scotland.

“That is what Scottish Labour will prioritise.”

First Minister Humza Yousaf is expected to unveil his government programme outlining his administration’s plan for the upcoming year this week.